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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



JOHN OF NEPOMUK 




THE NINETEENTH GROVE PLAY 
OF THE BOHEMIAN CLUB 



JOHN OF NEPOMUK 

PATRON SAINT OF BOHEMIA SXpST. 

BY 

CLAY M. GREENE 

WITH A NOTE ON THE MUSIC BY THE COMPOSER 

HUMPHREY J. STEWART 

THE NINETEENTH GROVE PLAY OF THE 
BOHEMIAN CLUB OF SAN FRANCISCO 

AS PERFORMED BY ITS MEMBERS IN THE BOHEMIAN GROVE 

SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, ON THE THIRTIETH 

NIGHT OF JULY, NINETEEN TWENTY ONE 



SAN FRANCISCO 

BOHEMIAN CLUB 

1921 



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COPYRIGHT 1 92I 

BY BOHEMIAN CLUB 

SAN FRANCISCO 



PRINTED BY BRUCE BROUGH 
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 

©CI.A622363 
RUG -8 1921 

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FOREWORD 

THE authorities in respect to the life and death of John 
of Nepomuk are so conflicting as to create the suspicion 
in the searcher's mind that their chroniclers have been swayed 
by religious creed rather than historical fact. Some of them 
have even gone so far as to deny that John was ever the Father 
Confessor of Queen Joanna and to insist that his torture 
and death resulted from seditious activities against King 
Wenceslaus and his religious superior, the Archbishop of 
Prague. Also that the romantic story to the effect that he 
suffered death rather than reveal the secrets confided to him 
by a guilty Queen in the sanctity of the Confessional was 
nothing more than deftly contrived legend. 

To the playbuilder, however, such contradictory evidence 
is no deterrent to the evolution of a drama. It justifies him 
in the selection of such excerpts from history or legend, fact 
or fiction, as may be best suited for the creation of human or 
dramatic interest; and this, it is earnestly hoped, has been 
accomplished. 

During the action of the play, it will be noted, the 
unities of time and place have been disturbed, for the purpose 
of adapting it to the somewhat arbitrary requirements of the 
Grove stage. The further defense is offered that, in the 
exigencies of play-making, dramatic license is not only allow- 
able but sometimes unavoidable. 

Before closing this somewhat apologetic Foreword, I make 
bold to dissent from the gracefully worded opinions of former 
Grove Play authors to the effect that such plays should not be 
geographic, historical or narrative of human happenings; 
that their plots and characters should grow out of inspirations 

[3] 



seeded in the Grove itself, and that in no case should the 
natural scenic splendors of the great stage be marred or dis- 
figured by artificial embellishment of any kind. 

This dissent was foreshadowed long ago, for in selecting 
my theme I was actuated by the memory of an incident in 
club history, when, with elaborate ceremonies, John of Nepo- 
muk was duly declared to be the Patron Saint of the Western 
Bohemia, because he had suffered torture and death rather 
than betray the secret of a woman. 

I then chose his martyrdom as the basis of my Grove Play, 
should I ever be honored by an invitation to write one, and 
now that I have accepted that long awaited honor I ask to be 
pardoned for having transgressed so far upon what has been 
set down, at least in some opinions, as Club tradition, in the 
hope that this labor of love may not have been in vain. 

C. M. G. 



U 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 

JOHN OF NEPOMUK Dion Holm 

Vicar General of Prague 

WENCESLAUS IV, King of Bohemia Richard M. Hotaling 
SIGISMUND, King of Hungaria William B. Hanley 

(The Song of Sigismund sung by Harry Robertson) 
JOHN III, Archbishop of Prague J. Wilson Shiels 

VLADISLAV, Benjamin A. Purrington 

Confident of King Wenceslaus 

HAJEK, Jester to King Wenceslaus William S. Rainey 

LABOCAN, The Court Astrologer E. Malcolm Cameron 

BALBINUS, Court Chamberlain Marion Vecki 

TOMAK, A Soldier J. Boyd Oliver 

MATHIAS, Captain of the Guard E. Courtney Ford 

MALEK, A Soldier M. C. Threlkeld 

AND 

JOANNA, Queen of Bohemia Richard Leonard 

Chorus of Monks and Peasants, Ladies and Gentlemen of 
the Court , Acolytes, Beacons, Courtesans, 
Soldiers and Chorus of Angels 

Time: A. D. 1393 
Place: A forest near Prague, Bohemia 

Historical Note: John of Nepomuk, born in Pomuk, Bohemia, 1335; 
died in Prague, Bohemia, 1393; canonized by Pope Benedict XIII, 1729. 



[5] 



CHORUS OF MONKS, PEASANTS AND ANGELS 



F. N. Anderson 
M. Anger 
A. A. Arbogast 
H. K. Baxter 
Eugene Blanchard 
A. R. Browne 
R. A. Brown 
C. F. Bulotti 
E. J. Cardinal 
P. S. Carlton 
E. D. Crandall 
M. E. Creswell 
W. W. Davis 
T. G. Elliott 
David Eisenbach 
C E. Engvick 
C. J. Evans 
R. E. Fisher 
H. Freeman 
E. Gerson 



R. A. Glenn 
R. B. Heath 
W. F. Hooke 
W. H. Hopkinson 
Otis Johnson 
A. G. Kellogg 
Walter Kneiss 
R. H. Lachmund 
A. F. Lawton 
Richard Lundgren 
R. I. Lynas 
F. A. Mack 

E. H. McCandlish 
John McEwing 
W. A. Mitchell 
P. J. Mohr 

F. Mueller 
R. M. Neilly 
W. P. Nielson 
R. O'Brien 



Wm. Olney 
H. W. Orr 
G. B. Peterson 
R. Probasco 

G. PURLENKY 
C A. RlESER 

F. E. Rodolph 
E. W. Roland 
B. Romaine 
B. M. Stich 
A. H. Still 

J. M. Teel 

C F. VOLKER 

P. H. Ward 

T. G. Whitaker 

Mark White 

G. R. Williams 
W. S. Wilson 
A. Y. Wood 



SOLDIERS 

L. D. Adams R. M. Hardin Preston McKinney 

Richard O'Connor E. J. Thomas 

DEACONS 
F. S. Howard A. M. Duperu 

LADIES OF THE COURT 
W. H. Bissell R. L. Chamberlain P. A. Drew 

W. T. Rambo M. F. Steele 



HERALDS 

Arthur W. Christie George Wihr 



[6] 



A. M. Brown, Jr. 

Leslie Cupples 
William Cupples 



Harris Allen 
John F. Connolly 
Fred Davis 



DANCING SOLDIERS 

Chester Dechant 
Charles DeChant 
Elmer Gunther 
John Messerschmidt 



Fred Kappleman 
Warren Mack 
Harold Maundrell 



DANCING COURTESANS 

William GerberJr. Grover La Velle 

Geo. Hammersmith Carl Max 

George Hashinger Fred. W. McNulty 
Erle Osborn 



STAGE DIRECTOR 
LIGHTING 

DIRECTORS OF DANCE 

PROPERTIES 

CHORUS MASTER 
CONDUCTOR 
CONCERT MASTER 
ORCHESTRA MANAGER 



Reginald Travers 

Edward J. Duffey and 
Ray F. Coyle 

Ted Shawn assisted by 

George Hammersmith 

Ray F. Coyle assisted by 
Harry Carlton and 
Harry S. Fonda 

Eugene Blanchard 

Humphrey J. Stewart 

L. Fenster 

Walter Oesterricher 



[7] 



THE PLOT OF THE PLAY 

FT is the hour of approaching dawn, in a forest situated 
-*■ some leagues from the capital city of Prague, Bohemia, 
immediately preceding the arrival of the Court of King 
Wenceslaus IV for the solemnization of Easter ceremo- 
nials and the holding of revels. 

Sentries are guarding the canopied thrones of King 
Wenceslaus and Queen Joanna, and at the altar 
Hajek, the Court Jester, is kneeling in prayer. Con- 
templating him mockingly is one Labocan, who has 
gained the confidence of the King through false claims 
that he can draw auguries from the stars. 

A song is heard through the darkness of the forest 
which awakens only the interest of the Sentries. The 
opening scene establishes the opposite characters of the 
two men. Hajek, a hunchback of forbidding visage, 
sees nothing but brightness and happiness in the world, 
while Labocan, whose features and physique are normal, 
is surly, distrustful and finds no good in anything human. 

The refrain of the song is heard, nearer, and Vladislav, 
a mercenary who has ingratiated himself into the confi- 
dence of the King, enters in a state of apparent alarm, 
calls attention to the mysterious song and relates how 
on the night of the coronation of Wenceslaus this same 
song was heard under the window of Queen Joanna, 
creating much scandal about the Court, for the singer 
proved to be none other than Sigismund, half brother to 
the King, and a suitor for her hand before she had been 
lured by the proffer of a crown. 

The form of a woman is seen to cross the stage in the 

[8] 



direction of the song. Vladislav is certain that this is 
the Queen hurrying to keep an assignation with her old 
lover, but Hajek, who has crept close enough to her to 
recognize her, denies it is she. 

John of Nepomuk arrives with a procession of Monks 
to prepare for the religious ceremonies, and Vladislav 
and Labocan tell him of the song and their suspicions. 
With deep feeling John defends the Queen, asserts his 
conviction of her innocence of wrong and declares his 
belief that she will prove it by being present during the 
approaching ceremonies. 

The royal retinue arrives in resplendent procession and 
the Queen is in her proper place, to the deep confusion 
of her enemies. The King addresses his subjects, stat- 
ing the reasons for moving the Court into the forest, and 
calls for the Easter revels to begin. John, much amazed, 
protests that the Mass must come first, and in this he is 
touchingly encouraged by the Queen. 

It is now intimated by the King that there is deep 
distrust as to his Queen's loyalty and virtue. Her oppo- 
sition to his will regarding the precedence of religious 
ceremonies over his long awaited revels so moves him to 
strange spite that he decides to submit the matter of 
that precedence to a fool, and calls upon Hajek, the 
Jester. Frankly confessing that it is to his interests to 
decide against his better instincts in favor of the King, 
he calls for the revels to come first. 

John again protests against these unholy functions in 
the presence of the Altar of God, when the King angrily 
directs that it be taken away. The Queen is about to 
descend from the throne to follow the removal of the 
Shrine, but John reminds her that it is her duty to submit 
to the will of her liege Lord and she sadly complies with 
his injunction. 

[9] 



Wine is brought and the Queen is compelled to offer 
the first toast to Bohemia, following which the Court 
Chamberlain is called upon to begin the revels with a 
song dedicated to wine and drunkenness. Continuance 
of the revels is interrupted by LaBOCAN, who declares that 
the stars have predicted coming disaster, and the King 
in deep rage orders him from the Court until he can woo 
kindlier inspirations out of the skies. 

The banquet is announced and the Court adjourns to 
feast on its promised dissipations. As the King is about 
to follow his courtiers the song of Sigismund is heard 
again, and Vladislav recalls the singing of the same song 
at the coronation, when the Captain of the Guard is 
summoned and ordered to send soldiers to apprehend the 
mysterious minstrel. 

The Queen bribes the soldier, Tomak, who is sent on 
this mission, by giving him her necklace, and the sus- 
picions of John are aroused as to her loyalty and honor 
as a wife. She convinces him, however, that her offence 
has been only political, and that she has not deceived 
him in her confessions. This is interrupted by the 
appearance of the faithful Hajek, who warns her of the 
enemies that are leagued against her and insists that she 
must dissemble with the King and not oppose him in 
any of his whims, however mad they may be. 

The cupidity of the bribed Tomak is aroused and, 
returning to the Queen, he reports Sigismund's escape 
and claims the balance of his reward, which is given him. 
Sigismund, however, not willing to escape until he has 
had an interview with the Queen, suddenly appears and 
an affectionate greeting is interrupted by John, who 
also pleads with him to escape, as his life is in danger. 
His departure is detected by the prying Vladislav, who 
demands information as to his identity. This John 

[io] 



refuses to give and Tomak is again sent to bring the 
stranger back. 

The King and his revellers return from the banquet. 
Flushed with wine, he refuses to discuss matters of state 
with Vladislav until the revels are over, and calls for 
another song of wine and his favorite dance of the 
Bacchanals. This over, the King declares himself ready 
for the religious ceremonies of the morning, when Tomak 
is brought in a prisoner, with the report that he has 
permitted the mysterious minstrel to escape. The 
Queen's necklace is found on him and he is ordered to 
death. The Queen on her knees protests her innocence 
of any intentional wrong, when Sigismund also is brought 
in under arrest. 

Wenceslaus angrily accuses him of having defiled the 
royal bed and is slapped in the face, which action he 
avenges by stabbing his half brother. Sigismund is only 
wounded, however, and demands his release, stating that 
he is a King as powerful as Wenceslaus and if he were 
made prisoner Hungaria would at once invade Bohemia. 

Sigismund is set free and, immediately following his 
departure, King Wenceslaus determines to lift the veil 
of secrecy from the soul of the Queen through her Father 
Confessor, and orders John brought before him, even if 
he must be torn from the exercise of his Holy Office. This 
sacrilegious order is carried out, but John indignantly 
defies the King to wrest from him the secrets of the church 
and is ordered to torture. 

The Queen, several times during the progress of the 
tortures, offers to reveal her secrets to the King, but she 
is stayed by warning admonitions from the suffering 
priest, who forbids her to speak on penalty of the anger 
of Heaven. Hajek manages to communicate with her 
unseen by the King; declares that the only hope 

in] 



now of saving John's life is through the intervention of 
the Archbishop and leads her to where horses are wait- 
ing for her. 

Finding that the Queen has disappeared, the fury of 
the King is redoubled. He orders greater tortures in- 
flicted, and the death of the Holy Man soon ensues. The 
King is now struck with alarm at the error he has com- 
mitted, and directs that the body of John be thrown 
into the river, so that the sight of it shall not inflame his 
people. 

The Queen returns with the Archbishop to demand 
the release of John, but on hearing of his death the curse 
of the Church is hurled at the now terrified King, who 
pleads for mercy but is again accursed of God. 

A terrible storm follows the curse of the Archbishop, 
and after the resultant darkness a blinding white light 
comes from out of the Heavens, the figure of John rises 
from the river toward it, and a great Angel Chorus 
speeds him upward on his flight into Paradise. 



[12] 



THE INDUCTION 

{Omitted in the representation) 

Scene 

In the Temple of History. This is a small domed 
structure^ so constructed as to be easily removed without the 
dropping of a curtain. The floor of this is slightly raised 
and two steps lead up to it. 

History is discovered with Thespis seated on a white 
Greek chair > and Thespis is below him at the foot of the 
steps. History has his arms extended as if in protest. 

History 
No more! Again do I protest, O Thespis. 
But, since no argument hath motive force 
Unless there be two sides to it, I grant, 
For its sake only, that you have a premise 
In which to plant the seeds that fruit good judgment. 

Thespis {making an abject obeisance) 
I bow in humblest gratitude to learn 
That History, stern, unimpeachable, 
Down thro* the ages, who hath carved on stone 
In letters bold, ineradicable, 

The deeds and words of Fame's great men and women, 
Hath stooped to ease his burden of conceit 
And grant that Thespis merits seed or premise. 

History {severely) 
Briars have sprouted in your thoughts and speech, 
To scratch away the film of modesty 
And show beneath it vain and dull sarcasm. 

[13] 



Thespis 
If my sarcasm's dull, then Art's awry; 
The fame I've won upon the mimic stage 
Becoming impotent; a tawdry cheat, 
Clouding perfection with the taint of sham. 

History 
Your mimic stage, alas ! is full of that 
As is my temple of recorded fact. 
Your men and women blatant in perversions 
Of time, of place, of reason and of truth. 
You welcome glaring inconsistency; 
Unbridled license seeps thro' all your work, 
And Fiction dulls the glow of History. 

Thespis 
Fiction himself shall tell how many times 
You have invoked his aid to fill some gap 
Your bungling scribes made, knowing not the truth. 

History 
I am the truth! 

Thespis 
You arrogate too much. 
Fiction shall teach you better. Fiction, ho! 

[calling of to the left. 
I choke! History throttles me again, 
And stifles argument in clouds of cant! 
[Enter Fiction. 

Fiction 
Who calls on Fiction ? 

Thespis 

History and I. 

History 
I called you not. 

in] 



Thespis 
Then I did, he consenting. 
He bragged just now, "I am the truth!" 

Fiction {in amused surprise) 
He said so? 

Thespis 
In wrathful vanity accusing me. 

Fiction 
He will not say he never called on me 
To gloss his records with the gilt of legend, 
Or let invention limn when doubt appeared. 

Thespis 
I firmly do assert he said just that 
When I set forth for him the argument, 
The portraitures and lessons of the play 
Bohemia shall listen to within this vast 
And soul-inspiring playhouse of the Gods, 
Builded by nature for her yearly revel. 

History 
Ay, 'twas for that I frowned his project down, 
For mummers must not juggle with my truths. 

Fiction 
Then hear me speak! 

History 
Nay, listen first to me! 

[indicating the trees and sky by a sweep of his arms. 
Mark you yon vaulted blue dimmed by the night, 
Whose million upon million stars keep guard 
Above the loyal hearts of Manhood's kings 
That beat alone for Friendship's glory. See 
How majestic these befeathered spires 
Bend not beneath Time's burdens thro' the ages; 

[15] 



Nor marred by tempests of a thousand years, 
Grope upward thro' the hazes of the gorge, 
Wooing the breezes into requiems 
Of fragrant praise to Nature and to God! 

Fiction {with a low bow) 
I thrill 'neath words that baffle contradiction. 

History 
Each of those stars reflects a shining truth; 
These mighty obelisks, scarred, gaunt and hoary, 
Are living monuments to Nature's facts, 
Incontrovertible as flint by dust. 
So, I protest these hallowed aisles and naves 
Should ne'er resound with song or spoken word 
That do not spring from out the loins of truth ! 

Fiction 
Art finished? 

Ay. 



History 



Fiction 

Well said and well bethought. 

Thespis 
But much too long, methinks, for what it told. 
Too many words engulf the tale within them. 

[Fiction makes a restraining gesture to Thespis. 

Fiction 
One question, History. If its reply 
Be as convincing as your words well chosen, 
Then I have finished too. 

History 

That were but just, 
For I weighed well my words and spoke not idly. 

Fiction 
What was their bearing on the play to-night ? 

[16] 



History 
The subject's mine, its truths all written down 
So that posterity may read them. 

Fiction 

Well? 

History 
For this it should be held inviolate 
From any tincturing of mere invention, 
And weak romance that paints the baser hues 
Of human nature: envy, love and lust. 

Thespis 
'Twould be like wine that never had fermented. 

Fiction 
Or folk-lore without Legend's poesies. 

History 

Folk-lore and Legend blaspheme History! 
St. John of Nepomuk, against my will, 

[pointing to Thespis. 
Has he filched from my records, here to strut 
In paint and tinsel thro' a pagan pageant. 

Fiction 
He that was canonized the patron saint 
Of old Bohemia as the foe of scandal; 
Whose breast held in the grip of loyal fervor 
The ugly secret of a guilty Queen; 
Who died in torture with his conscience dumb, 
Is held in manly reverence and awe 
By that newer Bohemia of to-day. 
So, Thespis wooed him from thy treasure chest, 
To live again here on this stage of Nature, 
Where oft were Fact to Fiction haply wed. 

[17] 



History {with much earnestness) 
I am protector of the living truth 
That never dies, and John's sainthood is truth. 
But Fve no record of Joanna's guilt 
And you and Legend would besmirch her soul. 

Fiction 
Then, History, your records are besmirched! 
For both Legend and I were called upon 
Out of the spheres of beauteous imag'ry, 
To fill the voids in their disputed lores. 

History {appealingly to Thespis) 
Thespis! Deny this brazen heresy 
That would make History a thing of doubt 
And weak inconsequence. Dispute my taste, 
But not my hold on truth! 

Thespis 

Alas! I fear 
That Fm heretic too. As I have said, 
I hold that Legend, Fiction and Romance 
Supply my needs far better than mere fact. 
Dispute you not my calling's loyalty; 
It is my mission only to amuse, 
To thrill, instruct, delight and entertain. 
Now, sometimes Fact is cold as cryptic lore, 
And, lest my patrons shun me, I perforce 
Must call sometimes on questionable aid. 

History {rising angrily to his feet) 
Then do I ease my conscience of ye both, 
And purge my soul of any willing share 
In this fantastic mime that mirrors lies! 

History 
History {coming down from the chair) 
Unto the wiser Gods of high Olympus 

[18] 



I do consign the fabric of to-night, 
And be they merciful to him that made it! 
[Exit History. 

Fiction 
WeVe won ! 

Thespis 
So must the play or we'll have failed, 
And shall no more come to Bohemia 
To write another page of Friendship's glory 
Into the tome that holds her history. 

Fiction 
United be the Gods 'gainst such a fate! 

Thespis 
Amen, with all my soul! But where we lack, 
Music is by with trumpets, drums and lutes, 
To drown our faults in limpid harmonies, 
And quicken dullness with the lilts of song. 

Fiction 
Well then, let's begin! 

Thespis 
What ho, without there ! 
A trumpet's call! Bohemia's host is here, 
To judge upon the pageant of the year. 

[There is a loud flourish of trumpets as Thespis and 
Fiction hurry away on opposite sides, and the 
scene fades into darkness. 

End of the Induction. 



[19 



THE PLAY 

Scene . — A forest distant two leagues from the capital 
city of Prague, Bohemia. 

A river is indicated crossing at the foot of the hillside. 
This is spanned by a bridge, at the end of which is a short 
flight of steps to the stage. 

On the right, the front of it reaching well toward the 
center, is a magnificent canopy, or shelter tent, fashioned 
out of draperies of barbaric and Oriental designs and colors. 
At the back of this canopy there is a slightly elevated dais, 
on which are two thrones, and at the foot of the dais steps 
are several fanciful seats of tabaret form. 

On the upper center, and well toward the back, is a tem- 
porary shrine, with a small altar, on which two candles are 
burning. 

It is the hour of darkness immediately preceding the 
dawn, and no light is seen except from the two candles on 
the altar and a strong ray of moonlight shining upon it 
from well above the canopy. 

Through the darkness at the back may be detected the 
light of flitting fireflies and the feebler glimmer of glow- 
worms. 

Hajek, the Jester, is discovered kneeling by the altar, 
dimly lighted by the moonrays, and Labocan stands out in 
the moonlight regarding him. Tomak is on guard before 
the throne, but is unseen save when he paces to and fro 
across the small zone of moonlight. Malek is on guard 
on the bridge, and other soldiers are on post along the path- 
ways. 

From the forest depths to the left of the stage is heard the 

[20I 



voice of Sigismund singing. As the song begins, Labocan 
turns and listens intently ', still within the rays of the moon. 
Hajek continues at his devotions, but Labocan and 
Tomak become more and more interested. 

Bohemian Love Song Sigismund 

THE BLINDED EYES OF LOVE 

i 
Fate on the Page of History 
Writes ever of Love's mystery; 
How can it win, inspired by sin. 
Or sent from Heaven above? 
No soul but yearns to feel its sway, 
No heart but throbs to turn astray; 
Black silent night shuts from the light 
The Blinded eyes of Love. 
(Refrain) 
Alone Love wanders thro' the night 
Its secret mate to find; 
Behind the mantle of delight 
To seek its bliss in kind. 
But ah ! the truth's unmasked for me, 
That Faith can pierce Love's mystery 
And always see that Love must be 
Forever, ever blind. 

ii 
So ever must Love's mystery 
Bedim the page of History, 
With Hope's fair gleams to solve its dreams, 
Pure as the spotless dove. 
O Love, be freed from dread alarms; 
Live 'neath the sting of envy's harms 

[21] 



And strive to see if Fate can free 
The Blinded eyes of Love. 

{The refrain as before) 

[As the last strains of the song die away> and Hajek 
is still in deep prayer^ Labocan becomes impa- 
tient and calls him testily. At the same time the 
black of night begins to give place to the purples 
of dawn. 

. Labocan 
Hajek! Hajek I say! What, art thou deaf? 

Hajek 
I would I were when I'm at my devotions! 

{rising from his knees and coming to Labocan. 
The devil take thy scorpion stings of temper! 

Labocan 
How can prayer hurry what Fate hath in store? 

Hajek 
Well, be that true or false, Faith thinks it can, 
And even Faith that's blind hath comfort in it. 

Labocan 
Will it turn straight thy crooked legs and back, 
Thy face that women greet with pitying sighs, 
And pewling dirty brats delight to laugh at? 

Hajek 
Oh fiddle-faddle! Likewise, bah, re viler! 
No woman, nay, nor yet their dirty, pewling brats, 
As thy spleen calls them, ever laughed at me. 

Labocan 
Scores on scores of times Fve heard them. 

Hajek 
Laugh ? 
I grant thee, but with me and never at me. 

[22] 



And by yon moon coquetting with the tree-tops, 

There is a difference as vast as that 

Between her radiance and the shadows yonder. 

[By this time the stage, which during the above has 
been growing lighter, is now sufficiently so to 
render the hillside and the characters more visible. 
The light of purpling dawn is seen to creep slowly 
down the hillside from the summit, and a charac- 
teristic theme is played softly by the orchestra as 
Hajek continues. 

Hajek 
Believe me, grim and sour-faced Labocan, 
Whom I affect to love with lying heart, 
There never yet was an infirmity 
But God provided compensation for it. 

[Labocan makes an impatient gesture of protest, 
which Hajek checks. 

Hajek 
Nay, hear me speak. Look on this face of mine 
That hath no feature in't kin to the other; 
These twisted shoulders, and a pair of legs 
So gnarled and bent, 'twould puzzle any eye 
To guess at my direction when I walk. 
Thou hast a face a sculp tor'd like to chisel; 
A stature that might make Adonis jealous, 
And legs! God's truth! Venus might wish them hers. 
Compare that form with mine, then laugh at it; 
Yet for thy scorn I'll hold no bitterness, 
No slightest touch of envy or resentment, 
For they have wed me to a merry life, 
A place at court, the love of men and women. 
And yet we ever are like black and white, 
The one foe to the other. No lands have I; 

[23] 



I have no wealth save glibness of the tongue; 

Thou hast grown rich through making men believe 

Invented auguries filched from the stars. 

Now, men love me for I see naught but sunshine, 

Whilst thee they fear for that thy nature throttles 

All that is good between the claws of evil. 

Thy sighs evoke my smiles, thy tears my laughter, 

Because I've love and faith in many things, 

Thou hatred and distrust in everything. 

[During the) above speech Labocan has been list- 
ening with a hard, unbending countenance > denot- 
ing an attitude of inattention. The refrain of 
Sigismund's song is heard and suddenly Labo- 
can's manner changes to one of suspicious 
animation. 

Labocan 
That song again! 

Hajek 

Have I then talked to stone? 
Then my next sermon shall be preached to swine ! 

[The refrain of the song continues , and at its close 
Vladislav appears on the left of the second 
stage and crosses the bridge to the front. Tomak 
salutes him as he passes. 
Hajek 
Had I a song like that I'd woo a wife. 
Sing coaxful songs if thou wouldst win with women. 

Labocan 
Peace, rattlebrain! 

Vladislav 

Heard'st thou that, Labocan? 
Labocan 
I did. It ill befits the season's purpose. 



Hajek 
A very pretty song, divinely sung. 
And, being about love, befits all seasons. 
Where were there breeding else? 

Labocan 

O, blessed world, 
If it but knew 'twould breed no more like thee! 

[Hajek laughs. Vladislav, who has been listening 
intently as if for a repetition of the song, rejoins 
the others. 

Vladislav 
Fve heard that song before. 

Hajek 



I'm sorry for thee. 



Vladislav 



Why sorry; 



Hajek 
For that it is stale to thee, 
Yet it delights my soul with something new, 
And novelty's the leaven of good nature. 

Labocan (to Vladislav) 
Suspicion clouds thine eyes, friend Vladislav. 

Vladislav 
It is my trade to angle with suspicion 
As bait to catch the guilty. 

Hajek 

God be praised, 
For that He hath endowed me with a soul 
That hath within it no room for suspicion, 
While each of you've become espoused to it. 

Labocan 
Peace, chatterer! 



Hajek 
I chatter to some purpose. 
But, since thine ears are deaf to all but evil, 
Let evil have its swing, whilst I recline 
To conjure jests for our too morbid king. 

[Hajek moves a little apart and reclines reflectively , 
while Labocan continues with Vladislav. 

Labocan 
What was there in that minstrel's trivial song 
To move thee to suspicion, Vladislav? 

Vladislav 
As I have said, I heard it once before 
From Sigismund, once lover of our Queen 
And cast aside when Wenceslaus was crowned 
That she might sit beside him on a throne. !Si$| 

[Hajek turns toward the two y listening intently. 

Labocan 
Well I remember that. 

Vladislav 

The dynasty 
That long had ruled Hungaria was dead, 
Her throne untenanted, and Wenceslaus 
Was sued to name a royal candidate. 
So, lest his jilted, still love-sick half brother 
Continue stolen interviews at dead of night, 
To tempt a queen prone to adultery, 
He wisely named him for Hungarian throne. 

Hajek 
An idle tale, {rising) As true as perjury, 
As false as that I have on earth no friend, 
Or Labocan no foe. 

Labocan 

Peace, ere I strike! 

[26] 



Vladislav 
Stay, stay! Leave him to me. 

[his hand on his sword threateningly. 

Saidst thou I lied? 
Hajek {shrinking away a little from him) 
I did not say so if 'twas in my thought. 
And, say 'twere on my tongue; What wouldst thou do? 

Vladislav 
Why, tear it out! 

Hajek 

Then I perforce must lie, 
And say I neither said nor thought it. 

[Hajek dodges a threatening blow from Vladislav 
and takes a position up near the bridge as Vladis- 
lav turns to Labocan. 

Labocan 

Well? 
Vladislav 
Sigismund had been crowned Hungaria's king. 
The feast was over, and with plaintive voice 
And face all flooded o'er with earnestness 
He sang the crooning song we heard but now. 
Next day 'twas shuttlecocked about the court 
In tones unguarded, and with whisperings 
Of anxious tremor, that twice in the night 
He sang again beneath Joanna's window, 
While she sat streaming tears behind her lattice. 

[The refrain of the song is heard in the distance, and 
both men start. 
By all the saints, he still is there! 

[The cloaked and veiled form of a woman (Queen 
Joanna) is seen to steal nervously from the right 
of the second stage and proceed in the direction of 

[27] 



the voice. Hajek recognizes her and looks nerv- 
ously at the two men. Labocan detects the figure 
and points. 

Labocan 

Look, look! 
[As the Queen reaches the spot where Hajek is 
standing she quickens her pace y and as she steals 
away there is a start of mutual recognition. As she 
passes out of sight the last notes of the refrain die 
away and Hajek comes down. 

Vladislav (to Hajek) 
Was it the Queen? 

Hajek 
She did not wait to say. 
Her tongue was silent and her form so veiled 
That I saw not if she were black or white. 

Vladislav 
But thou dost know 'twas she. 

Hajek 

Be not so sure. 
For I believe in nothing that my conscience 
Incites me to forget, so please you both. 

Vladislav 
That tells us nothing. 

Hajek 

Then let nothing serve, 
For nothing's nothing most when nothing's said. 

[Vladislav makes a gesture of angry impatience and 
turns up the stage. 

Labocan (to Vladislav) 
Where now? 

[28] 



Vladislav 
To clinch or deepen my suspicion 
That assignation's call adulterous 
Is heard and answered by our saintly Queen. 

[Vladislav hurries away in the direction of 
Joanna's exit. 

Hajek 
"Our saintly Queen." Thou heardst him, didst thou not? 

Labocan 
I did, and caught the meaning of the words. 

Hajek 
I caught that too. 

Labocan 

And still believe her blameless ? 

Hajek 
Here doubt becomes, good Labocan, a ball 
To juggle side by side with sentiment's; 
One up, one down, and we can cast away 
The one of them that's foeman to our wish. 
Now my wish lets doubt fall and roll away — 
Since it must cloud the honor of my Queen, — 
And, true or false, 'tis not for me to judge. 

Labocan 
Nor me to clear her name. 

Hajek 

Why, look thee now; 
Yon cringing, sycophantic spying worm 
Is well prepared to spread whatever scandal 
The court of Wenceslaus is cursed withal 
Without thy meddlesome, conniving friend. 

Labocan 
Call me not friend. 

[29] 



Hajek {bowing) 
Oh, as thou wilt, sweet foe. 
I meant it for a jest, not sentiment. 

[Here the music of the entree of John of Nepomuk 
is heard, and Hajek changes his tone. 
Hajek 
Those strains announce the coming of the Holy. 
Banish all doubt, suspicion and the like, 
And on thy knees learn mercy and forgiveness. 

[Labocan tries to speak, but Hajek stays him by a 
commanding gesture, and both of them kneel, well 
down stage a little to the right, as the retinue of 
John of Nepomuk is seen descending the hill- 
side. 

THE ENTREE OF JOHN OF NEPOMUK. 

(order of procession.) 
/. Two boys with smoking censers. 
2. A Priest in vestments bearing the Cross, 
j. Chorus of Monks, chanting. 

4. Four Acolytes bearing the 'Tabernacle. 

5. John of Nepomuk carrying the Cross. 

Chorus of Monks. 
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 
O, Filii et Filiae, 
Rex Coelestus, Rex Gloriae, 
Morte surrexit hodie, 

Alleluia! 

Et mane prima sabbati, 
Ad ostium monumenti, 
Acceserunt discipuli, 

Alleluia! 

[30] 



In albis sedens Angelus, 
Praedixit mulieribus 
In Gallilea est Dominus, 
Alleluia! 

In hoc festo sanctissimo, 
Sit laus et jubilatio, 
Benedicamus Domino, 

Alleluia! 
[Translation. 

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Yes, sons and daughters of the Lord, 
The King of Glory, King adored, 
This day himself from death restored, 

Alleluia! 

All in the early morning gray, 
Went holy women on their way 
To see the tomb where Jesus lay. 

Alleluia! 

An angel clad in white they see, 
Who sat and spake unto the three: 
"Your Lord hath gone to Galilee." 

Alleluia! 

On this most holy day of days, 
To God your hearts and voices raise, 
In laud and jubilee and praise. 

Alleluia! 

[The procession moves across the bridge to the stage 
and past the throne which John blesses. He then 
crosses to the altar followed by the Monks, kneels 

[31] 



before it for a moment \ then faces front and in- 
vokes the blessing. 

John 
Dominus vobiscum! 

Monks 
Et cum spiritu tuo! 

John 
Benedicamus Domino! 

Monks 
Amen ! Amen ! 

[The Monks and Acolytes form in solemn proces- 
sion, march across the bridge and of to the left. 
John comes down slowly, sees Tomak kneeling 
before the throne and blesses him. Then similarly 
blesses Lab o can and Hajek. 
John 
Arise, my sons. (Both rise) With souls all purged I know, 
Of spite and sin, and scandal's burning stain. 

Hajek 
Mine is almost so purged, O Holy Father. 

John (to Labocan) 
But thine! Alas! Poor pagan Labocan, 
Where is thy faith, to glint with reverence 
The holy radiance of this Eastertide? 

Labocan (bowing humbly) 
Great Vicar General, what faith I have, 
I lock within my conscience as mine own 
Rather than flaunt it like a peddler's cry 

[with a cynical glance at Hajek] 
As others do. 

Hajek (laughingly) 
Another shaft that missed. 

[32] 



John (to Labocan) 
I pity thee, (to Hajek) But I can say of thee 
That in thy faith, expressed in act and voice, 
There is as much of humble reverence 
As in the soul of him that would conceal it. 

Hajek 
I thank thee, Father, that we so agree. 

John 
Now warn for me the faithful, who but wait 
To know the time when Wenceslaus shall come 
For worship in these Nature-pillared halls, 
Away from heresies that mock our faith. 

[Hajek and Labocan move toward the left, Hajek 
exits after a bow to John, but Labocan tarries 
reflecting. 

John 
Why tarry, Labocan ? Upon thy face 
Conscience hath seemed to trace foreboding clouds 
That should be absent from the sacred feast 
But now beginning. 

Labocan 

Thou dost read aright, 
Transcendent Vicar. Warnings from the stars 
Indeed have written dread upon my face 
Of sinful happenings at hand. 

John 

From whom? 
Who, blind unto the canons of the Church, 
Would stoop to taint with even thought of sin 
The sacramental feastings of to-day? 

Labocan 
No less a person than our vaunted Queen. 

[33} 



John {very severely) 
Tell me no more ! Along the path of years 
An hundred times have I rebuked thy nature, 
Which finds no good in either man or woman. 

[Vladislav is seen approaching across the bridge 
from the left. 

Labocan {noting the approach of Vlad- 
islav) 
But now suspicion is affirmed by truth! 

John 
All doth depend upon who speaks that truth, 
For truths will lies become when framed by hate. 
[Vladislav has now come to them. 

Labocan 
Mine affirmation's come and thou shalt hear 
Suspicion deep submerged in floods of truth. 

[addressing Vladislav] 
Hail Vladislav! Our gracious Vicar here 
Refuseth to believe that venal sin 
Can taint the fervent soul of Queen Joanna. 

Vladislav 
He always did. 

John 
And always shall, my son, 
Until these eyes behold the sin unmasked 
So surely that concealment's cloak were lifted 
And she stood blushing in her naked guilt. 

Labocan 
Speak, Vladislav, concealing nothing. 

John 

A y>. 

Equivocation is the liar's casque 

[34] 



To shield his face from truth's defying challenge. 
Proceed, I'll listen. 

Vladislav 
At the coronation 
Of Sigismund, hast thou forgotten how 
A single song he sang plunged all the court 
In screaming gossip, till King Wenceslaus 
In jealous rage declared the feasts adjourned 
And hurried back to Prague? 

John {sadly) 

That I remember. 

Vladislav 
That song was here but now, piercing the mists 
Of darkened dawn with tuneful plaintiveness, 
To lure the soul of guilt with its refrain. 
The voice was Sigismund's by any penance 
That in thy will thou may'st impose upon me. 
Soon it was answered by the skulking form 
Of her who waited for it, stealing there 
Across the moon-rays far into the forest. 
[Hajek returns from left and listens. 

John 
Go on. 

Vladislav 

I followed. But with that deceit 
That's treason's gift to charm away distrust, 
This guilty twain seemed merged into the haze 
Of gathering dawn like smoke lost in the night. 

John 
Still thou hast told me nothing. 

Hajek 

Less than that! 

[35] 



Vladislav 
The woman was none other than the Queen, 
The minstrel Sigismund upon mine oath ! 

John 
How know'st thou that, — didst see her face? 

Vladislav 

Why no. 
But shall guilt go unpunished for the lack 
Of eyes to see and ears to hear the truth ? 

Labocan 
Conviction is enough, O holy man, 
And I'm convinced as he. 

John 

'Tis not enough! 
No drop of blood shall fall, no cutting lash 
Mangle the quivering flesh, no soul be lost 
Or reputation stained, when those accused 
May seek the healing salve of one small doubt. 
If there be doubt, then should no judgment hold; 
If there be guilt, let fall the ax of law. 
'Tis mere suspicion that is brought me here, 
And I shall mangle any cloak of doubt 
That dims the lustre of the reverence 
Bohemia holds for her beloved Queen. 

[Hajek has been evincing deep interest in the scene. 



Still I protest- 



Vladislav 

Labocan 
And I! 
John 

Protest no more! 
I do forbid ye both to speak of this, 

[36] 



Upon the pain of penance most severe, 
Until doubt yields to truth inviolate. 

Vladislav 
I purpose naught but that, and still believe 
That Queen Joanna hath met Sigismund, 
And, disobeying what her Lord commanded, 
Will not be present at the feasts to-day. 
Say she were not. Where then protecting doubt? 

[Two Heralds appear high up on the hillside and 
come down to the middle distance. 
Vladislav 
Where then thy priestly reverence for her? 

John 
Gone! 

Vladislav 
Is't agreed her absence proves her guilt? 

John 
Beyond all doubt, but, trust me, she'll be there! 

[The Heralds blow long blasts from their trumpets. 
John 
Lo! 'tis the signal that we soon shall know 
How once again Scandal's envenomed tongue 
Is struck dumb by the touch of innocence. 

Labocan {bitterly) 
Or how the Church absolves the powerful, 
It matters not how deeply steeped in sin. 

John 
Praise be to God it can absolve thee too. 

[Vladislav and Labocan come down and take posi- 
tions slightly to the left of center facing the canopy. 
[John mounts the steps to the bridge and the Monks 
appear from the left, cross the bridge and group 
about the altar. 

[37] 



[Hajek joins Labocan and Vladislav, with anx- 
ious looks toward the hillside, 

[Peasants appear from over the bridge, in a boat 
that moves on from the right in the river, and form 
groups on the left. 

[John stands waiting at the foot of the steps. 

[The music of the Entree of the King and Queen, 
which, during the above, has been subdued to 
create the effect of distance, now wells forth loudly 
for the 



GRAND ENTREE OF THE KING AND QUEEN. 

(order of procession.) 

/. A Priest carrying the Cross. 

2. Four Acolytes, 

j. Sixteen soldiers. 

4. Balbinus, Court Chamberlain. 

5. Four pages. 

6. King Wenceslaus (mounted). 

7. "Two soldiers. 

8. Queen Joanna in a palanquin. 

9. Four ladies of the Court. 

Entrance March and Chorus. 

Hail, Hail, Bohemia! 

Quest of the loyal brave; 
Hail, hail, Bohemia! 

Land of the foeman's grave. 
Hail, hail, Bohemia, 

Fair home of the ever free, 
Glorious Bohemia, 

We give our lives for thee ! 

[38] 



We live to limn thy weal, 
We glory in thy zeal, 
Bohemia, Bohemia, 
Let paeans loudly peal. 
For thou must live to glorify 
The friendship that can never die, 

Bohemia, Bohemia, 
Whose sons should never sigh. 
[When the procession reaches the second stage, its 
participants group on the lower stage and wait 
for the King and Queen. The King assists the 
Queen from the palanquin and, after John has 
blessed them, he escorts them to the throne, taking 
a position at the foot of the steps near the Queen. 
Hajek {to Vladislav and Lab o can) 
A lie choked at its birth! The Queen is there! 

Chorus. 
(Continuing after the King and Queen are seated}} 
The poets shall write of thy glory and fame, 
And voices of Friendship thy lore shall acclaim, 
The deeds of the just shall be writ in thy name, 
Bohemia, Bohemia! 
Huzza, huzza, huzza! 
[At the close of the chorus, John, who is standing at 
the altar, offers the Benediction, all kneeling, 

John 
Benedicite ! 

Omnes 
Amen, amen, amen! 

King 
Arise, ye faithful of Bohemia, 
And learn why, in obedience to your King, 
Ye are assembled in these forest shades; 

[39] 



Where cant and prejudice must never come, 

Nor malice tear sweet Friendship's bond apart. 

We come in reverence to celebrate 

The ceremonials of Holy Easter, 

That mark the closing of the Lenten fast, 

In merry revel and unbridled cheer. 

John (coming to the center) 
List, royal one! How bow with reverence 
Amidst the ravings of unbridled orgie? 
How stand in Heaven's presence flushed with wine 
That never knew the chalice of the Church, 
Nor softened 'neath the glow of sanctity? 

King (impatiently) 
Opposest thou again my spoken will? 

John 
I do oppose all revels, orgies, songs, 
Blaspheming jests and dances that breed lust 

[pointing to the peasants. 
Within these natures innocent of all. 

King 
I say I've had enough these forty days 
Of masses, vespers, missions and retreats. 
Enough of silence in my banquet halls; 
Prayers in my chamber, and my privy council 
Echoing ever murmurings of priests 
Against the inroads made upon our faith 
By so-called heretics led by John Huss. 

John 
Thou didst deny our right to drive them out, 
To stifle these rebellious heresies. 

King (becoming more impatient) 
I shall deny no man the right to pray 
In any form or tongue he may elect, 

[40] 



Provided treason sways no flaming torch 
To burn away the lustre of my throne. 

John {with great earnestness) 

Still I do warn thee 

King {interrupting hotly) 
This is not the time 
For matters of religious argument! 
For see how frown my patient subjects there, 
Affrighted that their forty days of shrift 
May not be leavened by our Easter revel, 
Whose promise long hath wooed their appetites 
And made their consciences fear all religion. 

John 
Amazement chills my blood! 

Monks {holding out their arms in sup- 
plication) 

And mine, and mine! 
Queen 
So does it mine, and urges this my soul 
To fling away my love, kill my respect, 
And shun allegiance to a King like thee! 

[During the above dispute the lookers on have been 
evincing mingled surprise and alarm and divide 
themselves into groups according to their ranks. 
King {in deep sarcasm) 
Does it all that? What right hast thou to speak 
Defiant to fulfillment of my will? 
When hast thou ever entertained for me 
Allegiance, love, or even cold respect? 

John 
I know that thou dost wrong thy royal mate, 
Deeply as though thou didst accuse her soul 
Of machinations to destroy the State. 

[41] 



King {with deep meaning) 
Time was when rumor hath said even that! 
Thou knowest all that's hidden in that soul, 
And would I had the power to wrest it from thee ! 

John 
Ay, twice before thou hast tried that and failed, 
With prison and with torture. Still again, 
I hurl rebuke 'gainst that unholy taunt 
Upon the lock of the confessional, 

[pointing to the altar] 
Within the shadow of the Cross of Christ! 

King (in deep rage) 
Then take the cross away! 

[Consternation is shown by all upon the stage, and 
John regards the King for a moment in speech- 
less amazement. 

Queen {rising in horror) 
No, no, not that! 
Thou dost not mean such cruel blasphemy 
Against the shining symbol of our faith! 
Recall it, O, my Lord, recant I pray thee ! 

King 
Sit down! I will recall no single word! 

John (with uplifted arm, to the assem- 
blage) 
Upon your knees all of ye that are faithful, 
And plead forgiveness for this selfish King 
Who holds mad revel paramount to prayer! 

[All kneel reverently except the King and Hajek. 
The Queen remains seated, bowing her head rev- 
erently, and the King stands as if reflecting upon 
the nature of his reply. 

[42] 



Labocan (to Hajek) 
Why kneel'st thou not? 

Hajek 

Why, I am deep in thought. 
For in a conflict 'twixt the Church and State 
I am in doubt which of the two to serve 
And hold mine office. But I think I'll kneel, 
And cheat my conscience to the safer side. 

John (who for several moments has been 
regarding the King severely) 
Why stand 'st thou there in stern rebellious silence, 
Defiant of my just command to kneel? 

King 
'Tis not defiance. Thou nor no one else, — 
Even the power that rules the Church at Rome, — 
Shall question mine allegiance to my faith. 
But I will have my way ! Rise all of you ! 

[All rise and contemplate the throne inquiringly. 

King 
I am the King: what I decree is law, 
And 'tis my wish the revels shall come first. 

John (in sore amazement) 
Amazement now curbs even power of speech, 

[bowing his head as though conscious oj defeat. 
And 'neath the spell of such irreverence 
One without sense or reason were my master. 

King 
So be it then. Such shall decide between us. 
We'll leave it to a fool. Is Hajek there? 

Hajek (moving to the front of the throne) 
He's here or there as thou wouldst will, my liege. 
Now I am here, not there. 

[43] 



King 

Thou hast heard all 
These flights of temper 'twixt the Church and me? 

Hajek {glibly) 
Mine ears are ever open, baited well 
To catch all sprats of human frailty. For 
I am of choice a fawning sycophant 
Who can hang on both horns of a dilemma 
Or argue as may best subserve my purpose, 
On this or that side of an argument. 

King {greatly pleased) 
Good! I have summoned into conference 
A fool who's wise enough to be sincere, — 

[With a meaning glance at the Queen, which she 
tries to evade. 
Or false as woman's love, according to 
His humors or his needs. Continue, fool. 

Hajek 
It doth amaze me that so wise a King, 
Who can read every fawning courtier's soul, 
Should call on one who nurses the worst blemish 
That man's accursed withal. 

King 

And what is that? 

Hajek 
Why, selfishness. Those few who are without it 
We find in legend and in fairy tales. 
There have been some, I grant, who have it not, 
But they've been canonized and turned to Saints. 

John 
Must I, the Lord's anointed, lend mine ear 
Unto the flippant jests and heresies 
Of this blasphemer who deceives for hire ? 

[44] 



Hajek {bowing in reverence) 
I grant your grace; all of these sins are mine 
Save that I do blaspheme. My faith forbids it, 
Yet coward conscience fears to disobey. 

King 
What is thine answer? Thy prologues are dull. 

Queen 
Ah, good, my Lord, why mock this holy day? 

King (in deep sarcasm) 
So then, thou art alive! I thought thee dead, 
For thou'st been dumb and silent as a corpse, " 
With visage frozen and impenetrable, 
As if 'twere cast in bronze. Dost thou rebel 
Against my wish again ? 

Queen 
Again, my Lord, 

And yet again must this my voice cry out 
Against this mockery upon our faith, 
That leaves such grave decision to a knave! 

[Hajek betrays some nervousness at being in such 
embarrassing position. 

King 
Why should he not decide when I command it? 

Queen 
Because 'tis monstrous that a jester's quip 
Can turn to naught an edict from the Church. 

King (with much bitterness) 
Look in thy soul for what is hidden there; 
I'll unmask mine and challenge thee to show 
Which one most shuns the danger of exposure. 

[The Queen starts as if conscience stricken and 
sinks into her seat. 

[45] 



That thrust, methinks, sank deep into thy conscience, 
Which none may read save thy confessor there, 
And in good time I'll wring thy secrets from him. 

John 
Thou canst not! 

King 
By my crown I'll find some way 
To tear the mask from off her hidden guilt ! 

John 
There is no way save through the voice of God. 

King 
The voice of God checks not the will of Kings, 
And mine hath spoken. But enough of this. 
It is my wish to have this wisdom's fool 
Decide if mass or revel shall come first. 
Speak, Hajek. 

Hajek (as if trying to evade the sought 
for answer) 
Gracious liege, the wisdom in me 
Nudges my conscience with a prodding thumb 
And bids me 'ware of such a grave decision, 
On which doth rest three potent influences. 

King 
What influences? 

Hajek 
Thou, my royal liege, 
The Vicar General, and my beauteous Queen. 

King 
Do as I bid thee or I'll have thee flogged! 

Hajek 
That wages war 'twixt cowardice and courage, 
And courage loses, for these twisted shoulders 
Are marred enough already. 

[46] 



King 

Speak, I say! 

Hajek 
I fear I talk too much, and that's a fault 
That leads to half the mischief of the world. 

King 
Thou talk'st too much, indeed. Would'st thwart my pur- 
pose? 

Hajek 
I could not if I would. This my decision. 

[All listen eagerly for the decision. 
If we hold revels first, I fear me much 
There'll be so many of us steeped in sin 
That there would not be priests enough to shrive us. 
Hold masses first, confessors will inspire 
Our souls with so much humble reverence 
That there would be no revels. And since they 
Stand first among the wishes of the King, 
And to oppose them might inspire his wrath, 
We'll hold the revels first. 

King 
Good! Come, begin! 

[The decision meets the approval of all except the 
Queen, Labocan, Vladislav and the clericals. 
This disapproval is indicated by the dividing of the 
crowd into excited groups, according to sympathy. 
John comes down from his position not far from the 
throne. 

John 
One plea, O King, and I am done. 

King 

Well, name it. 

[47] 



John 
Since revels must come first, I beg of thee 
That they be held not here where they must bring 
Defilement to the symbols of our faith. 

King (with determination) 
I'll have my throne, for once in all my reign, 
Drenched in the atmosphere of pleasure, joy 
And license unrestrained midst floods of wine. 

John (holding out his arms pleadingly) 
Not here, my son, not here ! Respect the tears 
That fall adown the cheeks of reverence, 
Appalled that this our shrine were so defiled. 

Queen 
My suit with his. Recant this hideous wrong! 

King 
Silence! Who bade thee speak? I'll have my will, 
And if 'twill bring defilement to the shrine, 
Take it away as I have said before. 

[John bows his head and is about to proceed to the 
altar y when the Queen stays him. 
Queen 
I will go with thee. 

[She starts to join John, when the King seizes her 
wrist and forces her back upon the throne. 
King 
Stay! Do thou not stir! 

Queen (struggling to be released) 
Thou shalt not force me to this hideous feast. 

King (still holding her) 
What, shall not? 

Queen 
No! 

[48] 



John 
Love, honor and obey! 
That was thy marriage vow! 

Queen 
Thou tell'st me that? 

John 

It was thy vow, thine oath! 
[The Queen bows her head in submission and the 
King laughs at her. John goes to the altar and 
the Monks and some of the peasants crowd about it. 

King 

Ha, ha, ha, ha! I thank thee rev'rend father, 

That thou'st reminded my rebellious wife 

Of what she had forgotten. What ho, there! 

Fill up the tankards full and bring the cups. 

We'll pledge the glories of our Easter feast, 

And when 'tis o'er, those of us who have sinned 

In penitence will sue for absolution. 

[ The altar has by this time been lifted by four Monks, 
and the procession led by John comes down to the 
steps leading to the bridge. On beholding the pro- 
cession all bow with reverence, including the King. 
The Queen hurries from the throne, meets John 
at the foot of the bridge steps, and extends her arms 
appealingly. 

John 
Patience, my daughter. When 'tis o'er, I come. 

[The procession bearing the altar moves across the 
bridge and off to the left, headed by John. While 
the music of the procession has been played, all 
have maintained an attitude of reverence. This is 
changed to one of gaiety when servants enter bearing 

[49] 



tankards and wine cups on trays, and the Queen 
has returned to the throne. 
[A large table is brought, which is placed in the front 
of the canopy. As soon as the religious procession 
has disappeared and the cups are ready, the King 
speaks. 

King {with two cups in his hand) 
Attention, all! The Queen begins the feast! 
[Offers her a cup. 

Queen 
What, I? 

King 
Love, honor and obey, he said. 
And, by the mass, I will have one of them ! 

Queen {taking the cup, thinks for a mo- 
ment, then elevates it.) 
Drink we in hope of a repentant King; 
May God forgiveness for his errors bring, 
Mercy for those who do excite his ire, 
And burn suspicion in Truth's endless fire. 
To true Bohemia! May traditions sweet 
Lead in the paths of right her wand'ring feet. 
Come ne'er dissension to enmesh her glory, 
And write Fate naught but honor in her story! 
{she elevates the cup and drinks) 
Bohemia ! 

King 
Good ! 

{raising his cup) 
Bohemia! 

Omnes 

To Bohemia! 

[50] 



[As all drink Hajek, who has not taken a cup y goes 
close to Labocan and speaks, 
Hajek 
Would I had cut my throat before I spoke! 

Labocan 
'Twere better if thou hadst, poor prattling fool! 

Hajek 
The only thing thou'st ever said to me, 
That went not in this ear and out at this. 

[emphasizing by touching both of his ears. 
King 
Ho Chamberlain! Thy voice is full of music; 
A song from thee, and be it one of wine ! 

Drinking Song Balbinus 

"DRINK TO OUR GLORIOUS KING" 

Balbinus 
Who shuns the drink in the ruddy, ruddy bowl? 

Chorus 
Not we, no, no, no, not we ! 
Balbinus 
Who lacks the thrill of the merry, merry soul ? 

Chorus 
Not we, no, no, no, not we ! 
Balbinus 
Then while there's light in the morning sky 
Or speed in the falcon's wing; 
Or glow in the fire of the lover's eye, 
Or flowers on the breast of Spring; 
We'll drink, drink, drink till our eyes flash fire 
In an orgie of Friendship's thrill; 

[51] 



We'll laugh at the taunts of the weakling's ire 
And sing with a right good will; 
So lives there joy in the merry, merry soul, 
And mad delight in the ruddy, ruddy bowl, 
Let trumpets blare and dingle-dangles toll, 
As we drink to our glorious King! 

Balbinus 
A fig care I for the weakling blade 
Who loves not the flagons filled; 
Come rather death than the life that's made 
To never with drink be thrilled. 
Now as there's blood that is warm and red 
In the veins of the brave and strong, 
Or pride in the souls that have fought and bled 
Or right that can laugh at wrong; 
So lives there joy in the merry, merry soul, 
And mad delight in the ruddy, ruddy bowl, 
Let trumpets blare and dingle-dangles toll 
As we drink to our glorious King! 
Chorus 
Drink! Drink! Drink! Drink! 
Drink deep to our glorious King! 
Drink! Drink! Drink! Drink! 
To Wenceslaus, our King. 
[All take long draughts from the cups, ending with a 
prolonged A-h-h-h' 

King {speaking from the throne to 
Labocan) 
Thou'st long been dumb, prophetic Labocan. 
What do thy stars portend this festal day? 

Labocan 
Last night I saw in them no sign but evil. 

[During the following lines the King betrays signs of 
rapidly rising anger, 

[52] 



Labocan 
No portent save of trouble to the State, 
With everywhere the cries of torture's pain 
And thine own feet mired deep in streams of blood. 

King (in a towering rage) 
I'll have thy life for this! 

Labocan 

I only told 
What last night I saw written in the stars. 

King 
They lied! And till thy stars have told thee so, 
Show not thy face again in court. Begone ! 

[Labocan starts to go, and the King stays him. 

King 
But stay. Get me the proofs of things implied, 
And evils coming, or, off with thy head! 

[He waves Labocan off to the right by a sweep of the 
hand, and then summons Hajek. 
King 
Come hither, Hajek. 

Hajek approaches him as if afraid. 

Nearer! What dost think? 
Hajek 
Fd rather whisper softly what I think 
Of Labocan, dread Sire. 
King 

Nay, not of him. 
But of his message from the stars last night. 

Hajek 
My liege, IVe no acquaintances with stars, 
Save those that make strange twinkles when I'm drunk. 
Then, to my vision, stranger things than stars 

[53] 



Flit in fantastic figures, forms and faces, 
In such wild contrast with this mask of mine 
That I believe myself a thing of beauty 
Without a care in all this babbling world. 

King 
But what of Labocan? 

Hajek 

Of him ? God's mercy ! 
He doth disturb me not, nor what he says. 
For both himself and those mad lies he utters 
Are in collusion to evade the truth 
And substitute weak films of superstition. 

King 
So ? An imposter who would cheat his King ! 

Hajek 
I prithee, calm thyself, poor cheated monarch; 
For there is scarce a shadow in the court 
But doth conceal a brace of them. 

King 

Art sure ? 

Hajek 
As sure as thou that thou art truly great. 
But it disturbs me not and should not thee, 
For if all of us were inviolate, 
Why, this poor world would be too dull to live in. 

King 
Find my soothsayer straight, and bid him draw 
More kindly inspiration from the stars 
And curb his love for evil, or — 

Hajek {drawing his finger across his 
throat) 

His head? 

[54] 



King 
Ay, tell him that. 

Hajek 

But let me hope, in words 
Less murderous, tho' equally direct. 

King 
Come, come, make haste! 
Hajek 

Most admirable liege, 
Would I could make my peace with Heav'n as quickly. 

[With an extravagant bow he hurries away to the right, 
and Balbinus enters from the left, bustling with 
officiousness. At the same time John enters and 
comes across the bridge, then slowly moves to the 
foot of the throne. 
Balbinus 
Most noble lord, the feast is heavy spread. 
And such a feast! The very table groans 
Beneath the weight of viands, wreathed in smiles 
Of expectation to be quick dispatched. 
Ragouts that were not bettered on Olympus; 
Haunches of venison by our hunters slain, 
And hung for weeks to give them succulence. 
The brains of peacocks, partridges and hares, 
With biting condiments to give them zest 
And there are wines, my liege, — 

King 

Give o'er, give o'er, 
We'll judge of those ourselves. Unto the feast, 
Beloved subjects, by Balbinus led. 
Fall to and eat, and I will follow on, 
Forgetting precedence and ceremony. 

[Now follows the chorus of the Drinking Song, and 

[55] 



the stage is cleared of all except the King and 
Queen standing in front of the throne, with 
Vladislav waiting at the foot of the steps and 
John, who is a little above, but near the Queen. 

King {to the Queen) 
Come thou with me. 

[He leads her to the foot of the throne steps, and she 
stops. 

Queen 

I prithee, good my lord, 
That I have leave awhile to rest me here; 
For I am ill disposed almost to fever. 
Ah, why wert thou so blinded in thine anger, 
Humiliating me before them all ? 

King 
And didst thou not deserve it? Where wert thou 
When with my courtiers I moved from the palace? 

Queen 
Fve told thee that before. 

King 

Thou'st lied before, 
And who shall say that, too, was not a lie. 

John {coming forward) 
I will. Sorely thou wrong'st thy noble Queen. 
My honor on it. 

King 
That I must accept, 
And, if enfeebled by indisposition, 
She may remain here in thy charge. 

John 

'Tis well. 
I'll answer for her safety and her honor. 

[56] 



Queen 
I thank thee, husband, deeply. 

King (to Vladislav) 

To the Feast! 
[The refrain of Sigismund's song is heard as before. 
The King is about to exit toward the left when 
Vladislav stays him with a significant gesture 
and both listen. John and Joanna are now on 
the bridge. She is trembling with anxiety, but 
John quiets her.) 

King 
What song is that I hear? 

Vladislav 
Hast thou forgot 

When that same song made fact of idle rumor 
The night thy brother Sigismund was crowned? 

King (as if his memory of it had re- 
turned all in a moment) 
She would not dare ! 

Vladislav 
That very song was sung 
Here in the dark before the sunrise came. 
I saw the Queen, close veiled and slyly creeping 
Toward the sound. 

King 

Know'st thou 'twas Sigismund? 
What didst thou do ? 

Vladislav 

Followed, but found them not. 
[John and the Queen come down from the bridge and 
approach the throne smilingly, as if in ordinary 
conversation. 

[57] 



Behold her now, affecting unconcern 
As if she knew not that he waits for her. 

King 
Thou'st bred this doubt before yet nothing proved. 

Vladislav 
But if I prove it now? 
King 

Thou shalt be noble, 
First in my council. There must be no doubt, 
For I am sick of unsupported rumor 
That murders love, yet leaves no punishment 
Remember, Vladislav, proof or disgrace! 

[The King hurries of to the left and loud huzzas of 
greeting are heard. The Queen and John are 
strolling leisurely toward the steps again. Vladis- 
lav turns to Mathias who has just entered from 
the left y as if for orders. 
Vladislav 
Mathias! 

Mathias 
Yes, my lord. 

Vladislav 

Assemble guards; 
Search well the forest, find that skulking minstrel 
And drag him bound before the King or me. 

[The Queen and John are seen on the bridge to- 
gether, and Tomak is also there on guard. 
Mathias 
He shall be found, my lord. 
Vladislav 

He must be found. 
That or thy rank, and then — perhaps a prison. 

[Vladislav hurries of to the left. The Queen is 
seen talking with Tomak 

[58] 



Mathias {calling to Tomak) 
Tomak ! 

Tomak {hears the call, and comes down 
quickly) 
Yes, Captain. 

Mathias 
Didst thou hear that song? 

Tomak 
I did. 

[Saluting. 

Mathias 
Then search the forest with dispatch; 
Arrest the minstrel, bind and bring him here. 
Good men shall meet thee from the other side. 

[Tomak salutes and Mathias hurries away in the 
direction of Vladislav's exit. Tomak hurries 
toward the bridge, where he is intercepted by the 
Queen. 

Queen 
Stay, soldier. Whither goest thou so fast? 

Tomak 
I go to apprehend yon stranger minstrel. 

Queen 
Why ? He hath done no wrong. I beg of thee, 
Let him escape and warn him of his danger. 

Tomak 
I dare not. 

Queen {taking a jewelled necklace from 
her neck) 
Take this, all of it is thine. 

John 
What would'st thou do? Not offer him a bribe? 

[59] 



Queen 
They are all bribed to hound him to his death, 
Then let me bribe that I may save his life. 

(to Tomak) 
Here, take this as an earnest of the rest 
That I shall give thee when I know he's free. 

[Tomak reflects a moment, takes the necklace, places 
it into his doublet and hurries away. Hajek and 
Labocan enter from the right. Seeing John and 
the Queen and the departure of Tomak, Hajek 
takes Labocan by the shoulders and turns his back 
to them. 

Hajek 
What I have won with dice thou shalt have back 
If thou retrieve thy staff ere I count twenty. 

[Snatches the staff from him and throws it far to the 
right. 

Labocan 
Have at thee, fool. This time I'll beat thee. 

Hajek 

Good! 
[Labocan hurries off to the right and Hajek runs to 
the Queen and kneels to her. 
Forgiveness, Queen, that I have seemed so faithless! 
Because I feared the anger of the King. 

[to John] 
And, Reverence, my prayers for absolution 
That I opposed thee. But, what right have slaves 
To feel or think save as their masters do ? 

John 
My heart is with thee, son, thou art absolved. 

[Places his hand on his head and blesses him, 

[60] 



Hajek {looking toward either side earn- 
estly) 
My time is short. Thou art in danger, Queen. 
Suspicion of thee burns in every mind, 
And every bush conceals an enemy. 
Let wisdom lead thee to appease the King; 
And thou must revel in this impious feast 
Or thou art lost! 

[Labocan returns running from the right. 
Labocan 
Well, have I come too late? 
Hajek 
Nay, time to spare, for I forgot to count. 

[taking money from a purse hanging at his girdle. 
There is the money won from thee at dice. 

Labocan 
Ay, loaded dice. 

Hajek 
Why not ? These heads of bone 
Are loaded with deceit, so why not dice? 

[Laughter, clicking of wine cups and other sounds of 
revel are heard off to the left. 

Hajek 
Lo! where our master lord drinks with the lowliest 
And lets his vassals pat him on the back. 
Would that our Queen were less particular, 
For, think of it! She curtly hath refused 
To sing and dance with them. 

[The sounds of the revel are repeated but louder. 

Ah, welcome sound! 

[Takes Labocan by the arm and pulls at it. 
Some wine, some wine! For I would see a smile 
Upon that granite face. 

[61] 



Labocan 

I loathe such revels. 

Hajek 
Then make me drunk and thou shalt see a fool 
Run riot with the wit that's hid in drink. 

Labocan {struggling to release himself 
from Hajek's grasp) 
I say I will not! 

Hajek 
But I say thou shalt! 
And I have sinews that could tear apart 
Those flabby ones of thine! Come on, come on! 

[Hajek drags Labocan away and the Queen comes 
over and looks after them. 

Queen 
Suspicion, danger everywhere, he said. 

John (who has come down with her) 
Suspicion melts away when conscience clean 
Unmasks its proofs; and danger hath no power 
To pierce the iron mail of innocence. 

Queen 
Have I not seen poor innocence destroyed 
And steeped in its own blood? Suspicion, too, 
Is murderous when leagued with enmity. 
And foes are everywhere, — he told me so! 

John 
What sick'ning fear is this that smites my soul, 
Inspired by warnings from an angry Heaven ? 

Queen 
What fear? (this with an expression of guilt) 

John 
Thou hast not told me all! 

[62I 



Queen 

All what? 

John 
Thou hast not told me all! Conviction's scourge 
Doth lash the confidence I had in thee! 
Concealment hath made mockery of faith, 
And absolution hath been given thee 
Lured by equivocation. 

Queen (falling on her knees) 
Mercy, Father! 

John 
Poor erring child! Then thou art guilty? 

Queen 



Yes! 



John 
Guilty with Sigismund? 

Queen 

No, 'tis not that! 

John 
But thou hast loved him. Love him now! 

Queen 



Yes, Father. 



Love him as I loved him ere the time 

When first mine eyes had fall'n on Wenceslaus. 

Love him, as when sore tempted by a crown 

I made his heart a desert. But not then, 

Nor ever thro' that hell of bitter years, 

Was that sweet love enslaved by sin. 

John 

That song 
Was Sigismund's? 

Queen 

Yes, Father. 

[63] 



John 

Shame, oh shame! 
Why comes he here if not thro* guilty love? 

Queen 
He seeks to overthrow Bohemia, 
Drive from his throne the husband whom I hate; 
And that old love, rekindled, fired my soul 
With ardor for the cause of Sigismund. 
Now, as I hope for absolution's peace, 
This was the only sin that I concealed; 
For that he urged it and my love obeyed. 

John 
On the authority of my high office 
I do forbid this aimless dream of treason ! 
And must demand full revelation of it 
Within the shadow of the Holy Cross, 
Where thou may'st nothing leave unsaid. Come, child. 

Queen 
Thou'llt not betray him? 
John 

Faith knows not betrayal. 
Within the shadow of the Cross, I said. 

[She bows her head in deep humility; he offers his 
hand, which she takes. They are proceeding 
toward the bridge when Tomak runs across it from 
the path and up to them. 

Queen {anxiously) 
What news — he's found? 
Tomak 

Ay, lady, and I come 
To claim the rest of the reward. 
Queen 

Yes, yes, 
But is he safe ? 

[6 4 ] 



TOMAK 

That rests with him. But first 
Himself shall show you that I set him free. 

Queen {now much alarmed) 
Not coming here ? 

Tomak 

I knew no other way. 
Haste! The reward! Thou saidst there would be more. 
And 'tis well earned. 

Queen {stripping rings from her fingers) 
Take this — and this — and this. 

John 
Away, lest someone see thee, soldier! Go! 

[Tomak hurries toward the bridge. At the same time 
Sigismund appears quickly from the direction of 
Tomak's entrance. Tomak stands at the bottom 
of the steps and salutes, permitting Sigismund to 
pass him, when he crosses the bridge and hurries 
away. 

Sigismund 

Joanna! 
[She is about to rush into his arms when John steps 
between them with both arms uplifted in admon- 
ition. 
Why should I not? Is not her soul mine? 
John 

No! 
Sigismund 
Ay! Soul, heart, trust, cause, fate and all are mine, 
As is yon flaming sun part of the Heavens; 
Or these gaunt spectres of forgotten years 

[indicating the trees 
Part of the forest where their twisted roots 
Draw sustenance from out the feeding earth. 

[65] 



So are my heart, my trust, my cause her own; 
And I am come prepared to fight my way 
To that fair haven of eternal peace 
Where broken hopes shall find at last fulfillment. 

John 
Nay, that shall never be ! 

Sigismund 

What dost thou say? 

Queen 
Fly, Sigismund! 

Sigismund 
Not till I've held thee tight 
Within these empty arms that scarce have known thee! 

John 
That, too, must never be! 

Queen 

Ah, list to me! 

John 
Nay, but to me! If on Bohemia's border 
Thou hast an army of adventurers 
To rob its treasury, kill its traditions, 
And undermine its chosen dynasty, 
Why, lead them back and come not here again. 

Sigismund 
Who told thee that? Joanna! Thou'st betrayed me! 

Queen 
No, no! 

John 
She told the Church, — the secret's safe. 

[The noises of revel are heard louder than before. 
Dost thou hear that? Fly, ere it be too late! 
Thy direst foes, inflamed insane with wine, 
Would tear thy limbs apart! 

[66] 



SlGISMUND 

What, told them too? 
[The Queen tries to speak, but John stays her. 
Joanna, not by thee? 

John 
Nay, son, by thee! 

Thy song betrayed thee thrice this very morn. 
[The sounds of revel are heard again. 
Queen 
Fly, Sigismund, or thou art lost! 

SlGISMUND 

Until 
Thou promise that our tryst be kept to-night, 
I will not stir tho' I be cut to pieces ! 

Queen 
I promise, then. When tyranny's asleep 
Thy enemies writhe in their drunkenness, 
And the white moon can guide me through the forest, 
I will come. 

John 
To say farewell forever! 

SlGISMUND 

If she shall so decide, 'twill be forever. 

If, midst the anguish of her loveless life, 

Her heart breaks 'neath its weight of solitude, 

Then will I come though 'twere a march to death! 

[The noises of the revel are heard again more boisterous 
and drunken. 

Queen 
Begone, begone, they come! 

[Sigismund hurries to the bridge and turns. 

SlGISMUND 

To-night? 

[67] 



Queen 

To-night ! 
[Sigismund hurries away over the same path by which 
he came. John takes the hand of the Queen and 
is about to follow across the bridge when Vladis- 
lav and Mathias enter from the left. 
Vladislav (to John) 
Who was that crossed the bridge but now? 

[John does not answer and he persists. 
Dost hear? 

John 
Who gave a satellite at court the right 
To question any office of the Church ? 

Vladislav 
Thine answer's vague. My voice speaks for the King! 

John 
Mine for a Holier Power, that holds His sway 
Above the sceptres of a thousand Kings ! 
Question me not again — I will not answer. 

[Takes the Queen by the hand and leads her away to 
the upper left. 

Vladislav 
He knows, knows all the truth, and yet, alas! 
His office seals his lips. Hast heard from Tomak? 

Mathias 
Not yet, my lord, though every path is traversed 
By better men than he. 

[He notices Tomak hurrying across the bridge. 

Comes he not there? 
[Tomak hurries down and salutes. 
What news, man? Speak! 

Tomak 
My lord, he was not there. 

[68] 



Vladislav (threateningly) 
Back, then, and find him! 

[Tomak hurries back to the bridge. 

Stay! To fail again 
Will mean destroying anger from the King. 

[Tomak hurries away over the bridge ; and Vladislav 
turns to Mathias excitedly. 
Vladislav 
Call all thy men; encircle every tree; 
Sweep every pathway, for he must be found! 

[Mathias hurries of to the left y passing Labocan 
and Hajek. The latter holds a filled cup in his 
hand and shows the effects of wine. 
Hajek 
Why run away when revel's at its height? 

Labocan 
It sickens me, Fve had enough of it! 

[Vladislav is about to exit to the left, when Hajek 
stops him. 

Hajek 
Ha, ha! A cup of wine with me, sweet friend! 

[Vladislav shoves him angrily aside. He staggers, 
reels toward the center of the stage and falls on his 
haunches, spilling some of his wine. 
A blow! A fall, and half my wine is spilled! 
[He makes an attempt to rise, but fails. 
Attend me, Labocan ! 

Vladislav {to Labocan) 
Think well of this: 
How loyal art thou to the King ? 
Labocan 

What, I? 
Thou heard'st him tell this fool to spy on me. 

[6 9 ] 



Hajek {plaintively) 
Oh, Labocan! 

Vladislav {to Labocan) 
The words were not his thought. 
The Queen had angered him. Now what of her? 

Labocan {to Vladislav) 
No worse a woman, and no better either, 
Than any who hath made her husband cuckold. 

Vladislav 
Ay, but dost thou believe it? 
Labocan 

Tis in the stars! 
Hajek {very plaintively) 
Sweet Labocan ! 

Vladislav {to Labocan) 
An augury like that 
Sent from the stars to him and thou art rich ! 

Labocan 
I think I catch thy meaning, and the stars 
Have told me nothing but that she is false. 

Hajek 
Thou devil, Labocan! 

Labocan 

I come. 
Vladislav 

Keep near me. 
Upon thine evidence depends thy power. 

[Vladislav hurries of to the left and Labocan goes 
to Hajek. 

Labocan 
What ails thee, fool? 

Hajek 

No more than ails all fools 

[70] 



Who drink more wine than they can safely carry. 
Why leave me thus when I do love thee so ? 

Labocan 
Thou lov'st me not. 

Hajek 

As much as thou lov'st me. 
So now the secret's out. Give me thy hand 
And raise me up. 

[Labocan offers his hand, which he takes. 

How strange that, being down, 
[Rising to his feet with an effort. 
My knees are hinges. But afoot again, 
They're stiff as spokes. I thank thee, Labocan, 
And if thou'lt fill my cup I'll truly love thee. 

Labocan {turning away from him) 
Not I ! I would there were no wine at all. 

Hajek 
God's mercy! What were then this beauteous world? 
An arid plain of parching nothingness; 
A thirstful desert camels dare not cross, 
Nor even serpents pause to spawn their young. 
A vast menagerie of flannel tongues, 
And stomachs, never schooled to use of water, 
Spraying the tasteless stuff upon the sands. 
Then piteous howls of anguish: "Wine, wine, wine! 
That I may know what 'tis to smile again." 
Bricks without straw; love without passion's fire; 
A thing of sighs and griefs unrecompensed, 
And sorrows deep that water cannot quench. 
Water! That brings no sustenance or life, 
Save to the ground that nourishes the vine. 
There is but one more use I see for water: 
To drown myself in it when there's no wine! 

[Laughter is heard on the left, then loud voices. 

[71] 



Voices 
Long live Wenceslaus! Mighty Wenceslaus! 
King of Bohemia! 

Labocan 
They come this way. 
A thousand priests could never shrive that throng. 

Hajek 
Not when thy sins clog the confessional, 
For if thou'rt honest 'twould consume a year. 

[The King enters showing signs of much drinking 
but preserving his dignity with effort. Balbinus 
is supporting him and leads him to the throne> 
while the crowd that comes with him groups itself. 

King 
Well done, most faithful subjects! And your King, 
Proud of your merry prowess at the feast, 
Will make return in merrier entertainment. 
My dancers, Chamberlain! 

Balbinus 

Most patient liege — 

King 
Thou liest! Patience is not in my nature. 
Where are my dancers? 

Balbinus 

They are making ready, 
With eager earnestness to please their King. 

King 
Some singers, then. Come, come, we're wasting time, 
A pious mass may soon disturb our revel. 
Who hath a voice and words attuned to it? 

Balbinus 
Tis said that Hajek here can sing most rarely. 

[72] 



King {to Hajek) 
What say'st thou, Hajek? 

Hajek 

Not that I sing rarely, 
For, to speak truly, sir, I rarely sing. 
But I have learned some lilts set to a tune. 

King 
Is it of wine? 

Hajek 
It reeks with it, my liege. 

Song Hajek and Chorus 

A KINGDOM WITHOUT WINE 

Hajek {recitative) 
With most uncompromising, sweet docility 
Apologizing for my poor ability, 
List to my scandalizing the futility 
Of any kingdom's joy that hath no wine. 

Chorus 
Oh tell us, pray, without delay, 
What were a nation's joy bereft of wine? 
Hajek 
An arid waste of reticence, 
A desert of improvidence, 
All days and nights but sorry plights of desolation sore. 
No hope of joy's satiety, 
But ever songs of piety, 
That sing but of sobriety 
With water to the fore. 

Chorus 
Alas ! the songs of piety 
That sing but of sobriety 
With water to the fore. 

[73] 



i 



So all Bohemia's hosts rebel 
Against red wine's forbidden spell. 
Let no decreed memorial, 
With law inquisitorial, 
And arrogance censorial, 
Bohemia's revels quell. 

Hajek {recitative) 
What matter if one loseth the agility, 
To woo his tongue to pungent risibility? 
Why welcome not calm, dreamy imbecility 
Through seeking the oblivion of wine ? 

Chorus 
Oh, tell us, pray, of joy's delay 
Without the sweet oblivion of wine. 

Hajek 

No man to greet one smilingly, 
No maid to smile beguilingly, 
With callow youth become uncouth as pranks of aged kine; 
No home for pleasure's oracle, 
No bacchanals historical, 
All joy phantasmagorical, 
The kingdom without wine. 

Chorus 
No home for pleasure's oracle, 
Yes, yes, phantasmagorical, 
A kingdom without wine. 
So all Bohemia's hosts rebel 
Against red wine's forbidden spell. 
Let no decreed memorial, 
With law inquisitorial, 
And arrogance censorial, 
Bohemia's revels quell. 

[74] 



[During the song the King's cup has been filled by a 
tankard bearer at his side. At its close, after 
many expressions from the crowd, with elevated 
cups, the King speaks. 
King 
A royal effort, fool! 

Hajek 

Ay, crowned with dross, 
That shines but thro' the twinkling of a laugh. 

King 
There is no crown so bright as approbation. 

Hajek 
Approval pays no debts, my liege. 
King 

Balbinus! 
See all his debts discharged. 
Balbinus 

They are, my liege, 
Clusters of grapes as sour as vinegar. 

Hajek 
Nay, dry as sponges, liege. 

King 

Why, what care I? 
He sweetens clusters of my cares with song, 
And so I sweeten his. Pay every one. 

[Balbinus bows submissively and Hajek struts 
about vainly, and pats Labocan on the back with 
a smack that causes him to writhe. 

Vladislav 

Listen, great sire! 

King 
I'll not be interrupted 

[75] 



While in this cup the ruddy vintage woos me! 

[elevates his cup 
Drop each his thirstful ire into his cup, 
And drink perdition to the canting knaves 
Who would inhibit wine and frame the lie 
That any kingdom's weal were best without it! 

[ The King drains his cup, as do all who have them. 
Hajek attempts to pour some of his wine down 
Labocan's throaty but he wriggles away and 
strikes Hajek with his staff. Vladislav again 
earnestly addresses the King. 
Vladislav 
A matter of great moment, sire! 
King 

Of state? 
Vladislav 
It doth concern two states. 
King 

Then we've no time 
To interject so much state in this revel. 

Vladislav (appealingly) 
Ah, sire! 

King 
Have done, I say! 

Vladislav 

The stars would speak. 
King (with rising anger) 
The stars have waited for ten thousand years, 
Let them wait longer! Are the dancers ready? 

Balbinus 
They do attend thee, sire. 
King 

Let them begin! 

[76] 



[Vladislav holds out his hands to the King who 
waves him away. Balbinus goes up and beckons 
toward the left. 

THE DANCE OF THE BACCHANALS. 

[This begins with a figure by the soldiers alone. 
When this is finished, an equal number of girls 
enter with wine cups. They place them to the lips 
of the soldiers and then the tempo of the music 
changes to that of wild and sensuous revel. As the 
last strains of this are playing, the Queen glides 
on from the back, dances a brief solo and then 
forms the center of the finishing figure. 

[The King regards the picture with amazement for a 
moment, and Vladislav and Labocan mingle 
discomfiture with their own amazement. 

[John, who has appeared during the dance, stands 
looking on in horror. 

King 
My soul rejoices that my beauteous Queen 
Hath by some whim of changeful womanhood 
Plotted within herself to wake my wrath, 
Only to change it to admiring love 
By this inspiring sacrifice. Joanna! 

[He comes down the steps a little and extends his 
hand. She goes to him. 
Thus do I seal my boundless admiration. 

[He kisses her upon the forehead, and leads her to 
her throne. Vladislav turns to Labocan deeply 
puzzled. 

Vladislav 
What treason-plot can she be hatching now ? 

[77] 



King {indicating the presence of John) 
Our Vicar General stands gravely by 
To lead us to religious ceremony. 
But ere we be in penitence absolved 
From all the worldly sins we have contrived, 
We'll have the dance again, so this my Queen 
May sin with us together; then, to mass! 

John {from his position on the bridge) 
It shall not be! 

King 
Not be ? What ho ! The music ! 
John {with great impressiveness) 
Who plays a single note shall be accursed! 
So shall each one of you that disobeys 
The Captain of your Faith ! 
King 

I'll not be ruled! 
Queen 
It was thy promise, Wenceslaus, that when 
The revels ended, he alone should rule. 

King {submissively) 
Ay, so it was. 

[The Queen presses his hand fervently . 
Vladislav {to Labocan) 

Some witchery is here! 
King {rising to his feet) 
Proceed, ye all, in humble reverence, 
And penitential awe where he doth lead, 
And this my Queen and I will follow on. 

[To the strains of the organ John and the Monks 
lead the religious procession on over the bridge and 
of to the left, leaving on the stage the King, the 
Queen, Vladislav, Labocan and Hajek. 

[78] 



[When the procession has disappeared and the others 
are about to follow, Mathias and Malek {a 
soldier) hurry on with Tomak who is bound with 
ropes. The Queen recognizes him and with diffi- 
culty conceals her deep concern. 
King 
What hath he done? 

Mathias 

Betrayed his duty, Sire. 
For it is known that when, upon my order, 
He was dispatched to find the minstrel stranger 
And take him, he did so, then set him free. 

King 
His life the forfeit! 

Queen 
No, no, no, not that! 
King 
And why dost thou plead mercy for this knave? 

Queen 
I'd plead for any life unjustly crushed 
Before there's time to interpose defense. 
Show him this mercy! 

Vladislav 

He hath no defense! 

King 
None that his King will hear. Off with his head! 

Vladislav 
Be it my joy to see it done. 

[The Queen holds out her arms appealingly to the 
King, but he pushes her aside and glares savagely 
upon Tomak. Vladislav goes to Tomak, as if 
to drag him away, and discloses part of the neck- 

[19] 



lace given him by the Queen protruding from his 
doublet. 

What's this? 
[Vladislav drags the necklace out and hands it to 
the King, who recognizes it and turns to the 
Queen angrily. 
King 
My wedding gift to thee, thou traitress wanton! 
Thy death shall follow close on his ! 

TOMAK 

My death! 
Nay, say not that, O King, for on the life 
That thou would'st take away I truly swear 
I found the bauble where 'twas lost! 
King 

Thou liest. 
Tomak 
If there be guilt, 'tis hers, not mine! 
King 

No more! 
Take him to death! 

[Vladislav makes a sign to the soldiers , who hurry 
Tomak away crying for mercy. The King turns 
savagely upon the Queen. 
[To the Queen. 

Where now is thy defense? 
For what gav'st thou that bribe? 
Queen 

Thou'st heard him say 
He found the bauble. 

King 

Thou'st heard me say 
He lied, and thou know'st if he did or no ! 

[so] 



Queen 
Faced by his God how can a soldier lie? 

Vladislav 
To shield a guiltier than he, — his Queen! 

[The Queen, staggered by this reply, stands as if 
stunned with apprehension. 

Hajek {to Vladislav) 
A thousand oaths that thou art lying now! 

[Vladislav deals him a heavy blow and he falls to 
the ground. 

King 
That was well done ! Out of my sight, poor fool, 
And be not seen about the court again 
On peril of thy neck! 

Hajek 

Poor, pestered King, 
That listeneth to lies before the truth: 
There is no peril grave enough to still 
The voice of courage, when it cries aloud 
To curb the slanderers of helpless woman ! 

King 
Out of my sight! 

[Hajek is about to reply, when Vladislav seizes 
him and roughly pushes him of to the left. 
Now, faithful Vladislav, 
More of thy charge, and if thou liest, too, 
Myself shall drag thy life from thee by shreds ! 

Vladislav 
I am content, dread Sire. 
King 

Whence came thy knowledge? 
Queen 
He hath no knowledge of the truth ! 

[81] 



King 

Hast thou? 
Speak, then. Ha, thou art silent, [to Vladislav 

Then, speak thou. 
Vladislav 
I had it from the stars. 
Queen 

Through Labocan ! 
Imposter, cheat and trickster! 

Labocan {urged by Vladislav to speak) 
Ay, through me! 

Queen {to the King) 
Surely thou'lt not believe him? 

King 

If he dare 
To tell me aught that comes not true, — the rack! 

Labocan {stepping toward the throne 
with great impressiveness) 
I do take up the gage. The stars have said 
Thy Queen is false to thee ! She hath been so 
Throughout the years since thou hast made her wife! 

Queen 
It is not true! 

King {now full of jealous rage) 
Peace, woman ! {to Labocan) Said they more ? 

Labocan 
Last night they warned me of a lover, come 
Again cloaked in the strains of melody, 
To lure her once again away from thee 
Into thy brother's arms. He's played thee false 
From ere thy wedding night until this morn, 
When these ears heard his song. 

[82] 



Vladislav 

And mine! 
King 

And mine! 
[to the Queen 
Now what hast thou to say, when all of us 
Have proved thee traitress to thy God and King? 

Queen 
That all have lied! Lied for the changeless stars, 
To lend their silence unto superstition 
And smirch the honor of my marriage vow! 

King 
Then where is Sigismund ? 

Queen 

I do not know! 
[Malek and another soldier are seen coming down 
one of the paths with Sigismund a prisoner. 
And could my conscience speak 'twould say to thee 
These eyes of mine his image have not seen, 
Nor these ears heard his voice. 

[By this time Malek and the soldier with Sigis- 
mund are crossing the bridge ', and Vladislav 
sees them. 

Vladislav 

Then who is here? 
[All turn and regard the approaching group. The 
Queen with horror and the others with a sort of 
vindictive triumph. 

King {to the Queen, savagely) 
The damning proof that thou basely lied! 

[He comes down from the throne and meets Sigis- 
mund. The Queen follows him closely and with 

[83] 



great apprehension. The King faces Sigismund 
venomously. 
Now what defense hast thou? 
Sigismund 

This: Thou hast dared 
To have me, thy half brother and a King 
Powerful as thou, trailed like a common felon 
Along the forest paths and dragged before thee. 
For what ? 

King 
Dost thou not know? Then I will tell it thee! 
To lure thy mistress from thy brother's bed, 
To one which thine adultery hath defiled! 

Sigismund {looking into the King's face) 
This to my face? 

King 

Into thy soul, seducer! 
[Sigismund deals him a smart blow on the cheek. 
He draws his dagger and is about to stab Sigis- 
mund when the Queen, who is close behind him, 
stands between them and forces the King away. 
At the same time the soldiers hold Sigismund. 
Unhand me! 

Queen 
No! 

King 

But he shall not escape 
The punishment that is the cuckold's right. 

[By a sudden and fierce movement he throws the dag- 
ger at Sigismund. Sigismund staggers, draws 
the weapon from his breast, throws it aside and 
then falls to the ground. The Queen throws her- 
self across his prostrate form and turns savagely 
to the King. 

[84] 



Queen 
Murderer ! 

Sigismund {reviving) 
No, that crime is spared his soul. 
[He is assisted to his feet by the Queen. 
I shall not die, nor even lose my strength, 
Till I have lifted from thy stainless name 
The foul reproach that he hath cast upon it. 

[to the King 
Thy mother and mine own were one. I know 
Thy soul holds her in sainted memory. 
Now by that memory and her dead love 
For both of us, devoutly do I swear 
That thou hast lied in naming her my mistress, 
Or doubting her allegiance to her troth ! 
Thou dost wrong her and me believing so. 

King 
Why com'st thou here, then, seeking her? 

Sigismund {to one of the soldiers) 

Good man, 
[handing him his handkerchief 
Some water. I would stanch my bleeding wound. 

[The soldier takes his handkerchief, goes to the river s 
bank and wets the handkerchief in the stream. 
King {to Sigismund) 
Thou hast not told me. 

Sigismund 

Told thee what ? 
King 

The cause 
For which thou earnest here. 
Sigismund 

That nothing has 
To do with the defiling words thou'st uttered, 

[85] 



And those I swear are false. Deep in thy soul 
Thou knowest it! I'll tell thee nothing more, 
And dare thee to do more. 
[to the Queen. 

Lady, farewell! 
[The soldier returns with the handkerchief. 
King 
Thou shalt not go! 

[Sigismund takes the handkerchief from the soldier 
and thrusts it into his doublet. 

Sigismund 

Not go ? Till thou hast proved 
My kingdom enemy to thine, thou durst not stay 
My coming or my going as I will. 

[His arm about the soldier s neck. 
Give me this stalwart youth to be my prop 
To where my horse is tethered, and I'm gone. 

[The King makes a consenting signal to the soldier. 
I thank thee. Let no others hear of this 
And I will lock the secret tight. Farewell! 

[He leans upon the soldier heavily and proceeds with 
difficulty across the bridge. The Queen starts as 
if to go to his assistance, but the King takes her by 
the wrist and holds her. When Sigismund and the 
soldier have disappeared, he speaks. 
King [to the Queen) 
Some mystery is here! Woman, reveal it! 

Queen 
My heart conceals no secrets but mine own, 
And only conscience can make revelation. 

King 
That thou dissemblest is writ on thy face 
And I will tear it from thee! 

[86] 



Queen 

If thou canst! 
King 
Suppose I torture thee? 
Queen 

Do, to my death, 
And I'll reveal not what thou must not know! 

King 
One other knows all that thou knowest ! 
Queen 

Who? 
King 
Who? Thy Confessor! I will summon him, 
And one or both of you shall lift the mask 
From what is hidden in your guilty breasts. 

Queen 
Thou durst not! 

King 
Dare I not? Then thou shalt see! 
[Mathias and a soldier enter from the left, 
Mathias 
The work is done, my liege. Tomak is dead. 

Queen 
Ah! 

[Buries her face in her hands and sinks upon the 
throne steps. 
King 
Good! For thy dispatch I'll make thee Colonel. 

[Mathias makes a grateful bow. 
Go thou unto the Vicar General 
And bring him hither. Even from the altar! 

Mathias 
The altar, Sire? 

[87] 



King 
Ay, even from his prayers! 
Dost thou refuse? 

Mathias 
I dare not. 

King 

Go! 

[Mathias hurries across the bridge and of to the left. 
The King goes to the Queen, attempts to lift her 
to her feet and finds that she has fainted. 

Attend her. 
[Vladislav and Labocan go to the Queen and lift 
her to a near-by couch. 
Think'st thou she doth malinger? 

Labocan 

No, my liege. 
Her courage and her strength are not in tune. 
But guilt's a burden strength cannot defy, 
Faced by the ghastly shadow of a crime. 

[Mathias hurries from the left and across the bridge 
accompanied by John 

John (with great dignity) 
What sacrilege is this that I am dragged 
Out of the sanctity of holy office 
To hear the plaints of a blaspheming King? 

King 
Nay, but the plaint of a just monarch, wronged 
By enemies, conspiracies and plots; 
Of secrets whose disgrace is hidden deep 
Within thy brain behind the walls of faith. 

John (in deep surprise) 
What dost thou mean ? 



King 
That, this time, I shall find them weak as chalk, 

For I will tear them down! 
John {in amazement) 
What! Make revealment of the sins I've shrived? 
Through all the struggles of our Holy Church 
No tongue save thine hath uttered such defilement. 

[A large number of the faithful, accompanied by the 
Monks, are seen coming across the bridge in great 
alarm. 
See where my faithful ones come to protest 
Against this act of Pagan profanation ! 
Mark on their faces horror at thy sin, 
Reviling God's most holy ritual, 
The celebration of the Sacrament. 

King 
Mathias! Vladislav! Call all your guard, 
And drive these rebels trembling to the city! 

Monks and Crowd {all kneeling) 
Mercy! Mercy! 

King 
And wield your swords to kill, 
If any of them dare to disobey! 

[Mathias and several soldiers who have hurried on 
drive the crowd across the bridge and up the paths. 
John {who has been regarding the episode 
in amazement) 
Hast thou gone mad that thou dost rail like this 
And lay thy soldiers' hands upon my monks ? 

King 
If madness be the name for just revenge 
Upon the trusted ones who've played me false, 
Then am I mad! And be that mine excuse 
For throttling skulking treason at its birth! 



John {deeply surprised) 
Treason ! Where ? 

King 

In mine own bed! And thou 
Hast it stored guiltily within thy breast! 

John 
And speakest thou — 

King (interrupting and pointing to the 
Queen) 
Of her who's lying there! 

John (noticing the Queen for the first 
time) 
Joanna! 

[John goes over to her y bends over her and strokes her 
hair. 

King 
Even she ! (with deep significance) 
Thy conscience, priest, 
Conceals the damning evidence we seek, 
And I am firm resolved to tear it from thee! 

John 
Such blasphemy was never known before 
In all the centuries the Church hath lived! 

King 
Well, then I'll break the dull monotony, 
And rule that when there's danger to the State 
Confessors must reveal what they know of it. 

John 
Thou hast no right to make so base a law! 
Know, if a million kings a million times 
Should make its counterpart, in all the world 
There's not one priest so base as to obey it! 

[90] 



King {fiercely) 
By God, there's one priest shall! But I'll relent 
So far as this: Affirm what we suspect, 
That Sigismund, Hungaria's King, and she 
Have assignations made in mockery 
Of wifely vows and loyalty to me. 

John 
Why, thou wouldst mock my cloth, blaspheme my Faith, 
Laugh at thy God to dream it in thy sleep ! 
I'll hear no more! 

[he is about to go. 
King 
Stop ! Thou shalt move no step ! 
Mathias, call thy guard! 

[Mathias hurries off to the left. The King continues 
to John and, unseen by anyone, the Queen be- 
gins to revive. 

Now thou shalt see 
If thou art King, or I ! For by my crown, 
Lest thou'rt compliant to my just demand 
I'll have thee tortured to my will! 

[The Queen rises and totters faintly over to John 
Queen 

No, no ! 
I'll make complete revealment ! 
John 

On thy soul 
Thou must not! 

(to her) 
It will mean thy death, 
And his; ten thousand deaths in war! 

King 
Reveal what she hath told and thou art free! 
Joanna, speak on thy Confessor's life! 

[91] 



John 
And if thou dost, thou wilt but mock thy faith! 

King 
Lay hands on him! 

[Mathias and soldiers hesitate 

On peril of your lives 
Do as your King commands! 

[Mathias signals to the soldiers and they place their 
hands on John. 
John 
Hold off your hands ! 

[The soldiers release him and he turns to the King. 
Till thou hast proved me traitor to the crown 
Thou durst not bait me like a criminal! 

King 
That shalt thou see. 

{to the soldiers) 
Your hands upon him tight, 
Nor loosen them again till ye are bid ! 
Are tortures ready? 

Vladislav 

Ay, my liege. 
Queen {deeply horrified) 
Tortures ! 
King 
Thou canst prevent them with a single word. 

Queen 
Then that word will I speak ! 
John 

I do command 
Of thee the silence God imposed on me ! 
What thou'st confessed is His, not mine or thine. 

Queen 
Not if he torture thee? 

[92] 






John 

Not for my life, 
Or thine, or yet an hundred more! 
King 

Take him away! 
[The soldiers are about to drag him away, when the 
Queen kneels and hangs upon his robe. 
Queen 
I cannot hold it longer, I will speak! 

King 
Speak all the truth? 

Queen 

Ay, every word ! 
John 

Not one! 
Lest Heaven's vengeance fall upon thee! 
King 

Speak! 
Queen 
To save thee torture — death! 
John 

That cannot be! 
Remember, twice before I've braved his wrath. 
So, courage, child. He dare not wreak his threat! 
And if he did, no thong would tear my flesh, 
No heaviest scourge raise welts upon my back 
Nor red hot swords sear blisters on my skin. 

King 
Away with him ! 

Queen {clinging to him) 
I will not let thee go! 
King 
Tear them apart! 

[93] 



[Two soldiers lay hands upon her, and she brushes 
them away angrily. 
Queen 
Unhand me ! 
[The King goes over to her, tears her away from John, 
swings her to the right and faces John. 
King 

Wilt thou speak ? 
John 
Unto my God, not thee! 
King 

I'll wait no more! 
[Makes a fierce gesture to the soldiers and they lead 
John away to the left 
Wield thou the lash, good Labocan. 
Labocan 

What, I? 
King 
Thy fee a thousand florins! Is't agreed? 

[Labocan bows unwillingly and Vladislav leads 
him away. The King goes over to the left and 
speaks to those outside. 
Have all the tortures near, so I may see 
And hear his courage break. No, nearer! So! 

[The Queen has covered her face with her hands, but 
the King tears them away roughly and turns her 
face to the left. 
See where the scourge is ready for his back! 
Confess that I accuse thee both aright 
And the uplifted arm falls not! 

John {speaking from outside) 

Silence ! 
King 
Confess ! 

[94] 



Queen 
Then know that — 
John 

Silence, on thy soul ! 
King {calling of) 
Strike! 

[With each blow of the scourge there is heard a sigh of 
pain from John. 
Queen 
Ah! 

[Buries her face in her hands. 
King 
Again! Again! And yet again! 

[turns the Queen's face toward the left 
Show him no mercy! Now then, cross the lashes! 

Queen 
No more, no more! 

John {speaking from of the stage with 

great effort) 
Courage, my child. The sighs 
Were those of sorrow, not of pain. 
King {calling of) 

Again ! 
[Another blow of the lash is heard with each command. 
Another! Harder! 

Queen 

Stop and I confess! 
John 
Upon thy soul's salvation, silence! 
King 

Strike! 
[Another blow is heard accompanied by a cry of pain. 
The Queen places her hands to her ears and runs 

[95] 



up toward the bridge ', the King following her. He 
seizes her at the top of the steps. Hajek appears 
suddenly ', pushes the King away from the Queen 
and the King falls to the bottom of the steps. 
Hajek (to the Queen) 
Horses are ready, — one relief can come ! 
Queen 

From whom? 
Hajek 
The Archbishop! No time to lose! 

[Hajek leads the Queen of to the right. The King 
rises and in a great rage looks for the Queen. 
King 
What, gone ! 

[Goes to the left and shouts off 
Speak, I command thee! 
John 

Strike again! 
King (now in an uncontrollable rage) 
The horses and the chains ! Tear him apart ! 

[Labocan hurries on in terror from the left, carrying 
in his hands a bloody scourge, and kneels to the 
King. 

Labocan 
Ah, gracious Majesty, here on my knees, 
In deep humility and reverence, 
I beg of thee no torture like to that ! 
By Vladislav compelled, these reeking hands 
Belabored with this scourge his naked back 
Till it was streaked with living streams of blood! 
Ah, was it not enough ? 
King 

Not half enough ! 
(calling off to the left) 

[96] 






What ho, I say! The horses and the chains! 

[The champing of horses and the clanking of chains are 
heard. 

Labocan {pointing of to the left in great 
agony) 
See where they twist the clanking chains and ropes 
About his limbs! Look where the champing beasts 
Stand dumbly by to wreak their cruel work! 

King 
The stars commanded it, — did'st thou not say so? 

Labocan 
The stars commanded no such deed as this, 
And if thou say'st I said so, then thou liest! 

King (drawing his sword) 
What, this to me? 

Labocan 

Ay, though thou hew me down ! 

King (beating Labocan of the stage with 
his sword) 
Back to thy work or thou shalt follow him. 

[Calls of to the left. 
Are chains and horses ready? 

[Vladislav enters from the left nervously. 

Vladislav 

Yes, my liege, 
But all my men, too full of aweful pity 
For one whom they revere, do now rebel, 
Refusing to go further. 

King 

Then on thee 
Shall fall the honor to uphold my will ! 

[97] 



Vladislav 
Nay, not on me, my liege. 

King 

Why, where's the fear? 
He'll speak with the first tension on the chains. 
And, if thou hold the bridles, I'll make thee 
First Lord of Prague ! 

Vladislav 

There'll be no doubt of it? 

King 
I swear it on my honor and my crown. 

Vladislav 
Then it is done. 

[He hurries of to the left. 

King {speaking of to the left) 
Now, Vicar General, 
This is thy end unless thou do confess! 

John {outside from the left) 
I do defy thee! 

King 
Then begin! 
[The chains are heard to tighten and there is a cry 
of pain from John. 

Confess ! 
John 
Still I defy thee! 

King {calling of savagely) 
Draw! With all their power! 
[The tautening of the chains and the cry of John are 
repeated. 
One word will free thee — yes or no ? 

[981 



John {in great agony) 

No, no! 
King {frantically) 
Again, again, although it mean his death! 

John {with an expiring sigh) 

To Thee — Oh Father — I commend my spirit! 

[Labocan hurries on and kneels. 

Labocan 
He will not speak. Mercy, I beg of thee! 

King 
No! 

Labocan 

Then upon the powers that rule the heavens, 
I call to dim yon sun and bring thee darkness! 

[The white light of the stage changes to an amber tone, 
which in turn fades and almost total darkness 
comes , which is relieved by a strong red light from 
the left as if from a fire. 

King {now greatly terrified) 
What ho ! My Guard ! Lights ! Cut the villain down ! 
Death to a sorcerer that rules the sun ! 
Vladislav! Vladislav! Where art thou, man? 

[Vladislav hurries on, showing great fear. 
His life! I'll have his life! 

Vladislav 

No more, no more! 
Enough's already done! 

King 

The Vicar General? 

Vladislav 
Dead! His strength was frailer than I thought. 

[99] 



King {now frightened) 
Take him away! Let not his corpse be seen, 
Lest all my subjects rise up in rebellion 
Before I have convinced them of his guilt. 
Into the river with him ! 

[Vladislav hurries off to the left, and Hajek is seen 
hurrying down the path. Labocan is still crouch- 
ing slightly to the left, and the King approaches 
him. 

Now for thee! 
Thou hast brought darkness, bring me back the sun 
Or I will kill thee straight! The sun, I say! 

Hajek (who has come down running) 
He cannot! 

King 
Cannot? 

Hajek 

No, 'tis an eclipse 
Hid in his knowledge for these many days 
And which he charged me not to speak of. 

King {about to attack Labocan with his 
sword) 

Dog! 
Hajek (interposing) 
Soil not thy royal hands with such as he 
On top of what hath been already done. 

[showing his hands 
Leave him to these, unsoiled by murder yet, 
But hungering to take this traitor's life 
That never knew but lies and foul deception ! 

King 

Then rest his fate with thee! 

[ ioo] 



[As Hajek is about to seize him, soldiers led by 
Vladislav and Mathias appear bearing the 
body of John upon a litter. Labocan points to 
this. 

Labocan 

Look there, look there! 

[The King hangs his head in shame. Hajek forces 
Labocan to his knees and kneels beside him, and 
the cortege proceeds to the bridge, where the body 
is cast into the river. 

[At the same time, the Archbishop and the Queen 
are seen hurrying down the path toward the bridge. 

King 
Lights! Bring me lights! 

Vladislav 

There are no lights, my liege. 
[By this time the Archbishop and the Queen are 
seen standing on the bridge. 

Archbishop 
Lo, this becurtained sun ! The work of God, 

[All turn and regard him in great fright. 
Rebuking thee for what thou'st done to-day. 
Speak, King ! Where is my Vicar General ? 

[There is a moment of deep silence. 
Will no one speak? 

Hajek 
There's one who dares, your grace, 
He's'dead. 

[The Queen kneels, burying her face in her hands. 

Queen 
Dead! 

[IOI] 



Archbishop 

And from torture? 
Hajek 

Torture, ay! 

Archbishop {to the King, who stands 
trembling near the foot of the throne) 
And thou hast done this through a cruel whim, 
Inspired by scandals, rumors and suspicion, 
Fed by the minions thou hast taught to speak 
As thy thoughts led withal. And truth or lie 
Were spoken as best suited to thine aims. 
I know not if thy Queen be guilty, or 
If Sigismund conspires against the State. 
These secrets thou hast tried with fatal torture 
To wring from out a Captain of the Church, 
And for this bloody blasphemy I curse thee! 

[The King bows his head in abject terror. 
Come never peace into thy life again, 
But heresy and war disturb thy realm 
So long as thou shalt live! Thy life a hell 
With only those accursed to mourn thy death! 
And if 'tis in the will of Heaven now 
To wreak his anger on this crime of thine, 

[lifting his arms as if in prayer 
I call on him to crash it in thine ears! 
Thou art accursed! 

King 

Mercy! 
Archbishop 

Accursed of God ! 
[Here a violent storm breaks out with wild fury. 
There are lurid flashes of lightning, deafening 
crashes of thunder and showers of rain and hail. 

[I02] 



[The Archbishop holds out his arms to the Queen, 

and she rushes into them as if for protection. 
[The King, followed by Vladislav and the soldiers, 

hurries up to cross the bridge. A great shaft of 

lightning strikes it and Vladislav rolls down the 

steps dead. 
[The King and soldiers are blinded for a moment by 

the flash, and then hurry terrified up the path. 
[The Archbishop, with one arm about the Queen, 

hurries away after them. 
[Hajek seizes Labocan by the throat, forces him up 

to the river, pushes him through the reeds into it, 

then hurries into the forest. 
[The glow of the fire on the left is now gone, and the 

stage is in utter darkness, in preparation for — 

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JOHN OF NEPOMUK 

[The figure of John is seen to rise from the river, a 
halo about his head, and float upward. 

[A dazzling flood of light suddenly suffuses the hill- 
side, and a great chorus of Angels is grouped 
toward the summit. 

[The figure rises slowly toward the light until it has 
passed beyond it, the intention being to convey the 
idea that the spirit of John is being translated 
into Heaven. 

CHORUS OF ANGELS 

The voices of Heaven do sing in thy glory, 
The lore of Bohemia shall ring with thy fame, 

And poets their Muses shall chain to thy story, 
And Sainthood for ages shall rest on thy name. 

[103] 



Bohemia thy birthland, Bohemia thy deathland, 
And Heaven forever thy soul's land shall be; 

Bohemia and Heaven, thy glory shall leaven, 
Bohemia and Heaven are ever for thee ! 
[With the close of the Chorus the light fades slowly 
away and the stage is in darkness. 

THE ILLUMINATION BEGINS. 

[The refrain of the Song of Sigismund is heard 
through the gloom, and the cloaked form of the 
Queen is seen approaching it as before, lighted 
only by the faint glow from the illumination. 



THE END. 



[104] 



SYNOPSIS OF THE MUSIC 

BY 

HUMPHREY J. STEWART 

After a short orchestral prelude: 




the scene fades to darkness. The music indicates the tragic 
character of the drama: 




Following this brief orchestral movement, we proceed 
at once to Sigismund's Love Song, heard in the distance: 



Hill ** U 










frFf-tyf-] igE| J J 1 ' \ J \ -1 J J f""*.! • ■) • | J^~'P ■' y j 1- 1 "| 1 'i " T ^ ^ 


'U>' " 


, IK & f*y ( ^ 


Ki«-h-nu . Wh'itts tv «*. el \tiCi 


*y it- Ay 


LMh 


|; titr*: ' 


''fefr 


» ! -,V*fr 


|J-iii3;d.ij: 


I! u * -I- 




''*' V- 


■.|v >| .- 


h- «i- 



The song has a haunting refrain: 




105 



During the dialogue which follows the refrain of the 
song is heard twice in the distance, but without accom- 
paniment. 

At the close of the dialogue between Labocan and 
Hajek the organ commences, very softly, a prelude to the 
Easter Hymn, "O Filii et Filiae." For this number the 
composer has used the ancient Plainsong melody which 
has been sung to this Hymn for many centuries in the 
Catholic church. 



iJUl-l, e> ^ll --I- «. H« Ut - fa - tit \<X do — fil - a* } 

As the organ prelude ceases the choir sings, from afar, 
the first verse, without accompaniment. The organ is 
again heard, gradually increasing in power as the religious 
procession appears upon the hillside. The second verse 
is sung with organ accompaniment. After this the orches- 
tra commences with free imitative counterpoint, in the 
style of the Bach chorales. This is continued as an ac- 
companiment to the third verse, sung by the choir in 
unison. For the fourth verse the full power of the orches- 
tra, choir and organ is employed with free counterpoint 
in the bass, leading to an imposing climax. John intones 
the blessing, to which the choir responds with the "Dres- 
den" Amen. 

The next musical number is a March and Chorus, 
accompanying the entry of the King, Queen and Court: 





- 1 rli1 4 1 1 V] 




1 ;** \ 


-^ — ■! — -| ,| ■] |.| — 


w 


— J 4» — * ^r 


M — J 1 J J -jJ — 


1 >?' * ■ -a 



[106] 



After considerable dialogue we come to Balbinus' song, 
with chorus: 



Wk« 't\«m fttVvA i» it jujfij lu>^ y^j? 




Hajek's song, with chorus, in which he describes the 
miserable condition of a kingdom without wine, is the 
next musical number: 




The music accompanying the Court revels is a suite de 
ballet, in three parts: 

(I). Mazurka, by the soldiers: 

[107] 



W 3S 




(II). Valse. (Pas de Fascination) by girls: 




(III). Bacchanale, by both groups of dancers: 




The Finale commences with music descriptive of a 
storm : 

JUL. 




[108 



As the storm dies away the music changes in character, 
to illustrate the scene of the Transfiguration of John. 
The following theme forms the basis of this movement: 




This leads to the final Chorus of Angels : 





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\ 



tf 



.^y 



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